Viroids

Attempts to find the causative agents of previously unknown diseases have resulted in the discovery of non – living disease agents that are not viruses. These include particles made entirely of RNA or protein that, despite their lack of ability to self-produce at the expense of a host, have a critical similarity to viruses which permits them to cause disease.

Viroids

Viroids are infectious pathogens which solely affect plants and are thus referred to as plant pathogens. Viroids are smaller than viruses and have circular strands of ribonucleic acids (RNA) that are free of protein covering. These organisms use the cellular machinery found in plant cells to make new copies of themselves. It predominantly affects higher plants of all kinds.

Viroids have the potential to wreak havoc on commercially vital agricultural food crops cultivated in fields and orchards. Other viroids that cause plant diseases have been discovered after the discovery of PSTV. Tomato planta macho viroid (TPMVd) infect the tomato plants, causing chlorophyll loss, deformed and brittle leaves, and undersized tomatoes, resulting in a loss of yield in this field crop.

Avocado sunblotch viroid (ASBVd) causes decreased yields and inferior fruit quality. ASBVd is the tiniest plant-infecting virus ever found. The peach latent mosaic viroid (PLMVd) causes necrosis of the flower buds and branches, as well as injury of ripe fruit, resulting in fungal and bacterial development. In addition to plums, nectarines, and cherries, PLMVd can produce comparable pathological alterations in these orchards, resulting in lower productivity. Viroids can be spread mechanically while vegetative reproduction crop maintenance or harvesting, and possibly by seeds and insects, leading in a significant reduction in food availability and terrible economic effects.

Structure of Viroids

Viroids are a separate category of plant pathogens. T.O Diener found two rounds of rotating Viroids in the year 1971. After analyzing the potato spindle tuber Viroid, it was discovered after a massive loss in the potato sector.

Viroids have a distinct structure and appearance than viruses. Viroids are made up of single-stranded and circular RNA without the protein coverings. Potatoes, coconut palms, tomatoes, avocados, and other plants are commonly impacted by Viroids.

Crop failure is caused by Viroid-infected crops, resulting in substantial losses for the agriculture business. The agriculture business also loses a significant amount of money each year as a result of this crop sickness.

Viroid are quite tiny in comparison to other infectious plant diseases, and so include only ten thousand atoms. Viroid infect the epidermis of plants, causing mechanical damage to the cell walls.

Viroid Diseases

Cucumber pale fruit, Citrus Exocortis, and chrysanthemum stunt are some of the diseases induced by viroid infecting plants. These infectious illnesses are propagated through cutting, tubers, and other methods of propagating seeds in plants, as well as by mishandling contaminated equipment. Viroid-like particles cause hepatitis D in humans.

Stem necrosis, stunting of growth, distortion of leaves and fruits, and eventually death of the plant are all indications of viroid infection in plants.

The majority of viruses are thought to infect plants, such as coconut and apple trees. The potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTV) causes tubers to elongate and eventually shatter, causing considerable crop loss to potato crops.

Viroid Disease Examples

There are many examples of Viroid Disease, some of which are given here.

1. Citrus Gummy Bark Viroid
2. Grapevine Viroid
3. Dapple Peach Fruit Disease Viroid
4. Potato Spindle Tuber Viroid (Potatoes)
5. Cucumber Pale Fruit Viroid
6. Dapple Plum and Peach Fruit Disease Viroid

Viroids or Viruses

Viruses are non-cellular infectious creatures that can only reproduce inside a host cell. Viruses cannot be classified biologically as living or non-living creatures. They do, however, have certain distinguishing features of living materials and non-living materials. Viruses are larger than viroids and have ribonucleic acid (RNA) circular threads with no protein coating. Only plants are known to be infected by viruses.

Virus

A virus is an infectious, non-cellular creature made up of genetic element and protein. It has the ability to infiltrate and proliferate within live microorganisms, plants, and mammals. Because viruses lack the necessary cellular machinery, they cannot proliferate outside of the host cell. As a result, it penetrates a specific host cell and bonds to it, injecting its genetic element. Furthermore, the virus replicates by utilising the genetic material of the host and eventually rips open, releasing new viruses.

Viroids

Viroids are pathogenic viruses that only harm plants. As a result, they’re sometimes referred to as plant pathogens. The biological machinery of plant cells is used by these animals to make new clones of themselves. It affects all higher plant varieties in general.

Conclusion

Viroids are infectious pathogens that only damage plants, earning the name “plant pathogen.” Viroids are smaller than viruses and have ribonucleic acid (RNA) strands that are not covered with protein.Viroids are a different type of plant pathogen. In the year 1971, T.O Diener discovered two rounds of revolving Viroids. It was identified after a large loss in the potato business after analysing the potato spindle tuber Viroid.A virus is an infectious, non-cellular creature made up of genetic element and protein.There are many examples of Viroid Disease, some of which are given here.

1. Citrus Gummy Bark Viroid
2. Grapevine Viroid
3. Cucumber Pale Fruit Viroid
4. Dapple Plum and Peach Fruit Disease Viroid