Plant Health Problems-Introducation and Historical Impact of Plant Health Problems

Plants in landscapes, gardens, production fields, forests, and interiorscapes are subject to a wide variety of problems that threaten their health. These problems can affect the aesthetics of the plant or can pose more serious consequences which result in plant disfigurement, crop loss due to reductions in yield and quality, and plant death. Throughout time, plant diseases have had profound effects on the history of human civilization and culture and plant health problems continue to impact our daily lives. Plant diseases affect food, fiber, and ornamental plants as well as those in natural areas. Notable among these diseases is potato late blight. This disease, caused by Phytophthora infestans, was responsible for widespread epidemics throughout Ireland and Europe in the 1840’s. This devastating disease not only resulted in famine, but was also responsible for the emigration of 1.5 million people from Ireland to the United States and Canada. Late blight continues to threaten potato production in many regions of the U.S. as new strains of the fungus develop.