Outbreaks and pests are responsible for huge losses of crops and pastures in many countries. Therefore, they have also become great enemies of farmers, and, besides, they have managed to be classified as a threat to the food security of thousands of people.

What are the most common? We tell you about them in this article.

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Essential Guide to Plant Pests and Diseases 

Talking about plant pests and diseases can be too long and difficult to understand. Fortunately, at present, d e have a wide variety of information about parasites, insects, viruses, fungi, and bacteria that can affect orchards.

This information has been key to knowing how they attack and the best way to control them. In today’s space, we want to share an essential guide on the most common pests and diseases that can affect the plants in our orchards and gardens. Do not miss it! 

Aphid 

It is the best-known parasite, and there are several species of it. In general, they have a sucking beak that allows them to pierce the leaves and stems of plants to feed on their sap.

They are related to the deformation and curling of the shoots and leaves. They often affect the crops of beans, cabbage, potatoes, and peas. 

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Whitefly 

They are easy to identify because they have a very peculiar whitish color. They usually inhabit the back of the crop leaves and fly when we move the leaves by hand. 

Its presence can cause premature damage to the plates’ leaves and yellowing. They are common in tomato, bean, pepper, onion, and cabbage crops. 

Red spider 

Its scientific name is Tetranychus urticae. They are microscopic spider mites that usually harbor the back of the leaves. Its damages are recognizable to the naked eye since they produce yellowish spots on the leaves. When the pest spreads, the leaves dry out and fall off. 

This pest p ou is found in various crops, including fruit trees, garden plants, or food crops such as potatoes, pumpkins, beans, and almonds. 

Trips 

They are tiny insects that can attack all parts of the plant. When they proliferate, they make the fruits, leaves, and stems acquire a very particular grayish-metallic color. They often damage flowers too. The most affected crops include:

• The tomato plant.
• The Jewish.
• The eggplant. 

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Nematodes 

They are prevalent parasites in orchards, especially when the soils are very humid. They can damage the roots and, therefore, they also kill the plant.

Sometimes, it is difficult to recognize them since the symptoms are similar to those that the plant suffers from lack of water or nutrients. They often affect eggplant, potato, and onion plants. 

Bold 

It is a fungus associated with molasses, a sugary substance that aphids or whiteflies can secrete. It can be identified by the appearance of a black powdery layer on both the fruits and the stem.

In general, they can cause a loss of production because they affect the plant’s vigor. They are common in potatoes, peas, cabbages, zucchini, and peppers.  

Rust 

It is another variety of fungus that can cause red pustules to appear on the back of plant leaves. It can deteriorate the leaves until they fall off. They often proliferate in the bean, pea, and broad bean crops.

Wet rot 

Caused by the Erwinia genus of bacteria, it appears at first as an opaque, moist spot on the fruit’s surface. The stain spreads, and the fruit ends up rotting completely when it advances.  It affects a multitude of crops, including potatoes and peppers. 

Bacterial chancre 

It is one of the pests and diseases of plants that cause damage to both the stems and shoots and the fruits. It is caused by bacteria of the gene ero  Clavib acter,  which produces some elongated limbs and circular holes on fruits. The most susceptible crops include pepper and tomato. 

Tomato mosaic virus 

To end this list of plant pests and diseases, we highlight the tomato mosaic virus. Its name comes from the spots it causes on tomato leaves, which resemble a mosaic in green tones. It can also affect pepper crops. 

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Did you know about these pests and plant diseases? If you identify in your garden,  delves into how to control them.  Now, keep in mind that pests should only be eradicated when they damage plants and crops. Do not forget!