Role Of Fungi In Agriculture

The Role of Bacteria and fungi in Agriculture.

In agriculture today microorganisms play a key role in agriculture. The roles in which they play can be harmful but can be helpful in too. They are known in silage production and the break down of cellulose in ruminant animals, and are also know for causing harmful diseases such as blight in potatoes and ringworm in cattle. Microorganisms are living things which can only be seen through a microscope.

Bacteria is on class of microorganism, that belongs to the family of Monera. Most of the members in this family are unicellular which means they have only one cell. Bacteria can be transmitted by air, food, water or blood sucking parasites. Bacteria have no clear nucleus which are known as prokaryotes.

Rhizoids, root like hyphae that anchor the fungi. Spores, Reproductive cells produced by fungus that produces spores. Sprangiophore, this holds up the sporangium. Some fungi are unicellular but the majority of fungi is multicellular. Fungi reproduce by means of spores. This can be ether sexual or asexual in reproduction. There are some harmful fungal diseases in plants and animals. In plants, Wheat rust, Mildew, Potato Blight. In animals there are ringworm, Fungal mastitis, Asperillosis. Potato blight is a very important pathogen, it is an example of an obligate parasite i.e. it must like in the cells of the host. This microorganism can also affect tomatoes. Hyphae grow between the living cells of the tomatoes leaf. Fine branches of hyphae enter the cells and take in the food. The symptoms are blackened patches occur on the leaves. The sporangia are washed down to the soil, where they infect the tubers. This can cause decay of the tubers. Infected tubers can act as a source of infection for the potato

Ringworm causes very little permanent damage or economic loss to the farmer. Having direct contact with the fungus is the fastest way the fungus can be transmitted. The symptoms of ringworm is, Grey white areas of skin with an ash like surface, usually circular in shape and raised. In calves the fungus is found around the back, ears and most common, around the eyes. Ringworm can take up to nine months to recover and heals itself. It can be sped up by breaking the crust or scab to allow oxygen to the wondered area this can speed up the healing process. The environment is the main hazard for ringworm, dusty sheds which haven’t been disinfected may be the main cause of spreading the fungus. Vaccination is used in some countries to fight of funguses such as