Disease in plantsWard, H. Marshall (Harry Marshall)
Science
Disease in plants
Ward, H. Marshall (Harry Marshall)
Plant diseases
_Intumescences_ are similar trichomatous outgrowths not associated with
insects or fungi, and due to some disturbance of the balance between
transpiratory and assimilatory functions of their leaves, as indicated
by the less localised occurrence and by their non-appearance when the
plant is under favourable cultural conditions. Structures not unlike
these have been artificially induced by exposure to particular lights,
and also by painting spots with dilute corrosive sublimate, indicating
that poisons may impel the epidermis cells to grow out abnormally.
_Corky warts._--Several forms of disease are known in which the
pathological condition is expressed by the formation of cork in unwonted
places and quantities. The _Scab_ or _Scurf_ of Potatoes is a case in
point. The tissue of the lenticels absorbs water and the outermost cells
are cut off by cork and die: the cells below them burst the dead
bark-like masses thus formed, and again cork is formed and cuts off the
outer masses, and the rough cork warts--_Scab_ or _Scurf_--are the
result.
The causes predisposing to scab have been variously assigned to
dampness, want of lime, action of bacteria and fungi--_e.g._
_Sorosporium_, _Oospora_, _Spongospora_,--the latter making their way
into the ruptured tissue of the lenticels and irritating the cells to
further growth.
It seems probable that several different kinds of scab exist in
Potatoes, as well as in roots--_e.g._ Beets, and the whole subject needs
further investigation. The scab-like rough scaly bark of Pear trees in
dry districts may also be mentioned here.
_Cork-wings_ are well known on the young branches of Elms, Maples, etc.,
some varieties of which have received specific names on this account.
_Corky excrescences_ on leaves occur occasionally in the Gooseberry,
Holly and other plants, for which no cause has been discovered.
Lenticels are also formed on some leaf-galls, and are remarkable as
being structures not normal on leaves.
_Pustules._--This term may be employed generally for all slight
upheavals of the surfaces of herbaceous organs, which subsequently burst
and give egress to the spores, etc., of the organism causing them, or
merely fray away at the top if no organism is discoverable. They are
often due to fungi--_e.g._ _Synchytrium_, _Protomyces_, _Cystopus_, and
Ustilagineae,--and we may extend the use of the general term also to
those cases where the _stroma_ of the fungus itself bursts through the
cortex of older parts and forms the principal part of the
pustule--_e.g._ _Monilia_, forming white or grey pustules on Apples,
_Roestelia_ and other Æcidia, forming yellow or orange pustules on
leaves, etc.; _Cucurbitaria_ and _Nectria_ (red) breaking through the
cortex of trees, and _Phoma_ and numerous other Ascomycetes which form
black cushions. _Pustules_ on the leaves of _Lysimachia_, _Ajuga_, etc.,
are due to the parasitic Alga _Phyllobium_.
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