What term describes the sudden, rapid death of leaves and stems, or an entire plant from a single point of infection?

What term describes the sudden, rapid death of leaves and stems, or an entire plant from a single point of infection?

• A. Blight
• B. Wilt
• C. Rot
• D. Damping-off

Answer: (A)

Blight describes a rapid, often devastating death of plant tissues that can involve leaves, stems, or the whole plant, typically starting at a single infection point and spreading quickly. This pattern—a sudden collapse of tissue from a localized entry point—is characteristic of blight caused by certain fungi, bacteria, or oomycetes, such as potato or tomato blights. Wilt, in contrast, is usually a gradual drooping due to blocked water transport rather than a fast, centralized kill. Rot denotes decay inside tissues, often progressing from wounds and spreading inward, and damping-off is a seedling issue where young plants collapse at or just after germination.

Blight describes a rapid, often devastating death of plant tissues that can involve leaves, stems, or the whole plant, typically starting at a single infection point and spreading quickly. This pattern—a sudden collapse of tissue from a localized entry point—is characteristic of blight caused by certain fungi, bacteria, or oomycetes, such as potato or tomato blights.

Wilt, in contrast, is usually a gradual drooping due to blocked water transport rather than a fast, centralized kill. Rot denotes decay inside tissues, often progressing from wounds and spreading inward, and damping-off is a seedling issue where young plants collapse at or just after germination.