epiphytotic disease

botany

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 26, 2026

Quick Summary

An epiphytotic is a plant disease that spreads rapidly and affects a large number of susceptible plants, similar to an epidemic in humans. These outbreaks occur when conditions are favorable for the pathogen, such as specific climatic conditions, the introduction of a new pathogen to an area, or the development of new plant varieties that are more susceptible.12

Factors influencing epiphytotics include temperature, humidity, and soil moisture. For example, high soil moisture can favor certain root rot fungi, while low moisture can exacerbate diseases like charcoal rot. Nutrient balance, such as the ratio of potash to nitrogen, can also impact disease incidence. Epiphytotics can be destructive and may occur in cycles, potentially subsiding to endemic levels before re-emerging under favorable conditions.341

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

4 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

plant disease
Epiphytotics
When the number of individuals a disease affects increases dramatically, it is said to have become epidemic (meaning “on or among people”). A more precise term when speaking of plants, however, is epiphytotic (“on plants”); for animals, the corresponding term is epizootic. In contrast,…
Read More
When the number of individuals a disease affects increases dramatically, it is said to have become epidemic (meaning “on or among people”). A more precise term when speaking of plants, however, is epiphytotic (“on plants”); for animals, the corresponding term is epizootic. In contrast,…
Read More