Readings in this section are organized like a textbook. You can start at the beginning to learn more about history and general concepts in plant pathology, or skip directly to the unit that you are interested in.​

History & Social Frameworks

Did you know that plant pathogens contributed to the fall of Rome and the Black Plague? Or how accidental pathogen introductions have completely restructured North American forests? Learn more about historical figures in plant pathology, and the historical, social, and environmental impacts of plant pathogens.

Concepts & Frameworks

What is a plant disease, and why does disease happen? How do diseases progress in plants, and how do we diagnose them? Learn more about the basic concepts in plant pathology, and the vocabulary and conventions of the field.

Pathogens & Diseases

What kinds of organisms cause plant diseases, and what diseases do they cause? Explore groups of pathogens, learn about their life cycles and how we identify them, and see examples of plant diseases.

Pathogen & Host Genetics

How do plant and pathogen populations interact with each other? What genetics underlie their arms race? Go deeper and learn about the genetics and biochemistry of plant-pathogen interactions.

Pathogenicity & Host Defense

What tools do pathogens have that enable them to attack plants? How do plants defend themselves from pathogens? Learn what makes a pathogen a pathogen and how plants have evolved to avert infections.

Environment and Epidemiology

How do environmental conditions affect pathogens? How do they affect plant defense systems? And how do all of these factors interact to drive epidemics? Learn about environmental drivers, disease modeling, and disease prediction.

Disease Management

How do we reduce the impacts of disease in our natural and agricultural plant systems? What are the advantages and disadvantages of different approaches? Learn about cultural, biological, and chemical control methods, and how we combine them to keep our plants healthy.

Tools for Research in Plant Pathology

How do plant pathologists study plant disease? What tools and techniques are commonly used, and how do they work? Learn about specific tools for diagnosing diseases and studying pathogens.