Phytopathology

Phytopathology (pronounced: fy-toh-puh-thol-uh-jee) is a branch of biology that deals with the study of plant diseases. It is derived from the Greek words 'phyton' meaning plant and 'pathos' meaning suffering.

Phytopathologists study the causes, effects, and control of plant diseases. This includes the study of pathogens, infectious diseases, and environmental conditions that cause damage to plants.

Etymology

The term "Phytopathology" is derived from the Greek words 'phyton' which means plant and 'pathos' which means suffering. The suffix 'ology' is also from Greek origin, meaning 'the study of'. Therefore, Phytopathology can be translated as 'the study of plant suffering'.

Related Terms

Pathogen: A biological agent that causes disease or illness to its host.
Infectious Disease: Diseases caused by organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites.
Epidemiology: The study and analysis of the distribution, patterns and determinants of health and disease conditions in defined populations.
Mycology: The branch of biology concerned with the study of fungi, including their genetic and biochemical properties, their taxonomy, and their use to humans as a source for tinder, medicine, and entheogens, as well as their dangers, such as poisoning or infection.
Bacteriology: The branch of microbiology that deals with the nature, life, and actions of bacteria.
Virology: The study of viruses – submicroscopic, parasitic particles of genetic material contained in a protein coat – and virus-like agents.