Sometimes during seed distribution/sale projects some of the seed is eaten by the people
who are receiving it, which may indicate:
- Either the seed is not appropriate—the crop species supplied is either unknown or
unwanted, or a good local supply of seed already exists—or the seed was provided
at the wrong time of year, and/or - Food, or more food, should be provided at the same time as the seed, often
referred to as “seed protection”.
If there is enough time it can be a good idea to make a few enquiries about the wisdom
of having the seed treated before it is planted:
- Identify the pests and diseases that cause problems with the currently grown crops,
and find out about their economic significance to farmers in “normal” years. - Find out if these most harmful pests and diseases can be controlled with seed
dressings, or if there are more appropriate control methods. - Make enquiries, normally from the seed suppliers, about the seed dressings that
they have available, cost of application versus untreated seed, and the actual health
hazards arising if people eat some of the seed that has been treated.
Types of Plant Diseases
Diseases of plants can be caused by fungi, viruses or bacteria:
A. Fungi
A fungus is a living plant which does not have chlorophyll; it cannot therefore
manufacture its own food from sunlight and so has to feed on the carbohydrates, protein
and other food produced by either plants, animals or decaying (rotting) plant or animal
material.
Most fungi are either saprophytic or parasitic: saprophytes feed on dead plant or
animal tissue, while parasites depend on a living plant or animal.
However, other types of fungi such as Botrytis which causes Chocolate Spot of
beans and other diseases adopt both lifestyles. They live saprophytically, on dead plant
tissue, for part of their life cycle, and then become parasitic for the rest of their life.