Answers
Yes. Many diseases can appear similar.
Some diseases are caused by nutrient deficiencies and some by infections agents (like virus, bacteria, fungi etc). Where the disease is caused by an infectious agent it is often possible to decide between viral vs bacterial vs fungal based on images.
At PlantVillage we ask for two very important pieces of information: what is the plant and where are you? Knowing the plant and your location allows us to exclude lots of possible causes. So, when you postt images and we know the plant and the location we can determine many things.
Because PlantVillage is an open conversation (I am writing to you, but many people are reading) then what I say can be added to by others. This means that collectively we have a very high chance of finding out what the problem is.
Finally, if we cannot find out what the problem is we can help you find someone who could diagnose it. For example, using a microscope to diagnose a pathogen. This happens all the time. PlantVillage can accelerate that process by linking people.
But most diseases of plants do not need that examination. We know what they are and can determine causes with images. So, post lots of images.
Some diseases are caused by nutrient deficiencies and some by infections agents (like virus, bacteria, fungi etc). Where the disease is caused by an infectious agent it is often possible to decide between viral vs bacterial vs fungal based on images.
At PlantVillage we ask for two very important pieces of information: what is the plant and where are you? Knowing the plant and your location allows us to exclude lots of possible causes. So, when you postt images and we know the plant and the location we can determine many things.
Because PlantVillage is an open conversation (I am writing to you, but many people are reading) then what I say can be added to by others. This means that collectively we have a very high chance of finding out what the problem is.
Finally, if we cannot find out what the problem is we can help you find someone who could diagnose it. For example, using a microscope to diagnose a pathogen. This happens all the time. PlantVillage can accelerate that process by linking people.
But most diseases of plants do not need that examination. We know what they are and can determine causes with images. So, post lots of images.
Posted
by: David Hughes
(67 points)
Posted: April 8, 2014
Yes, some diseases are "cosmetic," that is, they affect only the appearance of the plant. For instance, a leaf disease on a fruit tree can be cosmetic if it does not affect the ability of the leaves to carry out photosynthesis, and if it does not cause the tree to lose the leaves. Pathogens that change the appearance of the fruit may reduce the marketability of the fruit without affecting the flavor or usefulness of the fruit itself. Sometimes a minor disease can weaken the plant over time, so that the plant can still produce fruit for a year or more, but over its lifetime it will be less productive (than if it did not have the disease).
In addition, if a plant has been weakened by a disease, sometimes it is more likely to be attacked by other pathogens. Some insects are able to detect the weakest plants. In my garden, I have noticed that when I see aphids on my kale plants in the spring, the aphids are clustered on a few plants. The aphids do not go to every kale plant. They seem to prefer the weaker plants. That is one reason to pay a little more attention to the plants that seem to be getting more insect or disease problems.
In addition, if a plant has been weakened by a disease, sometimes it is more likely to be attacked by other pathogens. Some insects are able to detect the weakest plants. In my garden, I have noticed that when I see aphids on my kale plants in the spring, the aphids are clustered on a few plants. The aphids do not go to every kale plant. They seem to prefer the weaker plants. That is one reason to pay a little more attention to the plants that seem to be getting more insect or disease problems.
Posted
by: Tanya in the Garden
(128 points)
Posted: April 9, 2014
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I think you are asking if plants with minor diseases can still produce a good crop. Yes, plants can tolerate some diseases and insects and still produce a good crop. It depends on the crop and on the disease.
about 10 years ago.