FFA Floriculture Practice Test

How many factors must be present for any plant disease to form?

1. One

2. Two

3. Three

4. Four

The correct answer is: Three

The formation of plant diseases relies on the presence of three essential factors, which typically include a susceptible host, a pathogen, and favorable environmental conditions. A susceptible host is necessary because the plant must have vulnerabilities that the pathogen can exploit. The pathogen itself, whether it be a fungus, bacterium, virus, or nematode, must be present to initiate the disease process. Lastly, the environmental conditions must be conducive to the disease's development, such as appropriate temperature, humidity, and moisture levels for the pathogen to thrive and spread. This triad of elements creates an environment where diseases can emerge and affect plant health. Other options suggest fewer or more factors than what is generally recognized in plant pathology, thereby failing to encapsulate the full understanding required to accurately diagnose and manage plant diseases effectively.