Common Diseases of Crops

Crop plants can be destroyed by a variety of disease causing organisms. The crop diseases can be divided into four major categories:

• Seed borne diseases: Caused by fungi generally and spread through seeds. e.g. Ergot of bajra.
• Soil borne diseases: Spread through soil e.g. Smut of bajra.
• Air borne diseases: Spread through air e.g. Rust of wheat.
• Water borne diseases: Spread through water e.g. Bacterial blight of rice.