How do viruses affect plants?

Viruses are a type of very fast multiplying microorganisms that can cause many serious health problems to any living being, whether animal or plant. In fact, there are some so dangerous and complex that no cure has yet been discovered to eliminate them.

When we talk about plant viruses, unfortunately we almost always have to refer to viruses that, once they infect them, little can be done about them. Therefore, this time we are going to learn more about this worrying problem .

Index

  • 1 What is virus?
  • 2 How does it affect plants?
  • 3 What is the treatment?

What is virus?

closteroviruses

Image – Ytpo.net

Virosis are a group of diseases transmitted by pathogenic viruses . But in addition, it must be said that they are opportunistic microorganisms; that is, they will take advantage of the slightest sign of weakness to penetrate the animal or plant organism and colonize it while “destroying” it.

Thus, we can say almost with total certainty that a living being that is well cared for will be very unlikely to get sick , unless its parents have passed it on to it while it was gestating or another of its species has infected it.

How does it affect plants?

The symptoms of viral diseases that plants can have are the following:

  • Chlorosis (mosaics, rings, yellow mottling)
  • dwarfism
  • deformations
  • Decrease in production
  • Alteration of the chemical composition of the fruits
  • leaf fall
  • In severe cases, death

Which is the treatment?

Unfortunately, for now the best treatment is prevention . We have to buy healthy plants, as then it will be quite unlikely that we will have to remove it in the future. In addition, it is important that we take good care of it, that is, that we water it, fertilize it, transplant it and we can whenever it is necessary.

In the event that we suspect that we have a virus disease, the best thing to do is to cut it down, burn it and disinfect the soil, for example by using the solarization method .orange tree with virus

Orange tree affected by the citrus sadness virus (Closterovirus or CTV).
Image – Agenciasinc.es

I hope it has been useful to you 

How do viruses affect plants?

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