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best way to control pest and disease is make plants thrive. |
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Plant diseases
 Plant
diseases are caused by infection of fungi, bacteria and virus.
- Fungi
Fungi
cannot produce nutrient on their own and have to derive their nutrients from other
organisms. Fungi attacks all parts of a plant which is the major cause of plant
disease. Under favorable conditions, fungi can damage the plant translocation
tissues and kill the plant in no time. Common fungal diseases include damping
off, leaf spot, anthracnose and rust, etc.. - Bacteria
Plant diseases caused by bacteria
are relatively fewer than those caused by fungi. Damage caused by bacterial infection
is mainly manifested in rotting the plant tissue.
- Virus
Virus is mostly transmitted by sucking insects such as aphid. Viral diseases
cause less damages. Infected plants will be partly damaged and weakened but seldom
die | |
Since diseases spread easily but it
is difficult to eradicate bacteria and virus, the most effective way is to take
proper precautionary measures in cultivation. Essential codes of practice in gardening
operations are as follows - |
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- Choose healthy seedlings.
- Water the plant and apply
fertilizer as required.
- Maintain
clean and well ventilated condition. Moist environment is favorable for pathogen
to breed.
- Remove
rotted leaves and rubbish.
- Use
clean planting media.
- Carry
out weeding to minimize the media of transmitting pests and diseases.
- Remove and burn infected
parts.
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Plant pests
 Pests
normally feed on plants. They often eat leaves, suck leaf sap from leaf surface,
or even bore into the leaves to obtain nutrient, resulting in damage to the leaves.
Some species may bore into the stem and root and feed on the plant tissue, causing
damage to the plant structure and weaken its ability to absorb nutrients.
Chemical insecticides are commonly used
nowadays to eradicate pests. However, chemical insecticides are usually poisonous.
They will accumulate in the body of organisms and damage the natural environment.
For protection of the natural environment, we should try our best not to use chemical
insecticides. For school campus and
household environments, pest control should be handled with a preventive approach.
The following are some codes of practice in cultivation for pest control -
- Choose healthy
and pest free seedlings.
- Use clean planting media.
- Keep
place clean. Remove rubbish and rotted leaves.
- Check plants thoroughly and regularly.
Cut off and burn any withered leaves and affected parts.
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