Common Diseases in the Home Garden

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Simeon Wright
Division of Plant Sciences
Coordinator of the MU Plant Diagnostic Clinic
Parasitic diseases and nonparasitic disorders can cause serious vegetable losses in home gardens. Many species of microorganisms, including fungi, bacteria, viruses, phytoplasmas and nematodes, cause diseases of vegetable crops. For disease to occur, plant pathogens must come in contact with a susceptible host plant. Pathogens can be carried to the plants by various means, including transplants, soil, humans, animals, insects, infested seed, and wind or water, alone or in combination. Favorable environmental conditions must be present for the plant pathogen to infect and thrive on the plants.

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