Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
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Lemon balm
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Marigolds
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Nasturtiums
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Parsley flowers
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Sunflowers
Having a healthy ecosystem in your vegetable garden lets nature
take care of things for you. Start with healthy soil, plant healthy
seeds and plants, and create an environment that will keep
everything in your garden in balance.
Common Diseases
You can physically see a pest or insect, but it is more difficult to dia-
gnose a plant disease because the symptoms can be similar to those
caused by other factors like excessive heat or cold, nutrient deficien-
cies in the soil, or poor drainage. Having healthy soil, giving your
plants proper water and fertilizer, and maintaining good garden prac-
tices minimizes your plants' vulnerability to many diseases. If you do
have a recurring problem, it is important to learn what it is and try
to correct the cause.
There are four main types of pathogens that cause disease in
vegetable plants-bacteria, fungi, nematodes, and viruses. They all
attack plants in different ways but have some common symptoms
such as wilting, yellowing, and stunted growth. The pathogens can
be spread in various ways. They can be blown around by the wind or
carried in water. Animals, humans, garden tools, and other equip-
ment can also transfer them from plant to plant. Insects can carry a
pathogen in their saliva and transfer it from plant to plant. When you
are trying to diagnosis a disease, it is important to learn the life cycle
of the pathogen so you can avoid spreading it.
