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Myth and truth of being a plant pathologist :
Plant pathology, also known as phytopathology, is a branch of botany that focuses on diseases affecting plants, such as bacteria, viruses, the environment, or industrial activities. Plant pathologists provide treatments and preventative measures for plant diseases that may result in low yields for agriculture and other negative environmental effects.
What is plant pathology?
Plant Pathologist: What Is It?
Plant pathologists may study pathogens, develop lines of disease-resistant food or fiber crops, investigate the impact of pesticide usage and industrial processes on plant life, among many other things. They carry out a variety of vital duties and activities that support their area of expertise. Depending on their career industry, plant pathologists may be responsible for:
Observing plant life cycles to identify and compare healthy functions and abnormalities in seed germination, growth and reproduction.
Recording research findings and communicating analysis data with colleagues and scientific communities.
Aiding commercial growers in the selection, propagation and successful growth of food crops.
Studying diseases and infections in plants, including bacterial, viral and fungal infections.
Collecting and evaluating plant samples with microscopy, digital photography and other technical and laboratory equipment.
Maintaining laboratory samples and overseeing organizational processes for laboratory procedures.
Developing methods of disease prevention and treatment for plant species in local environments.
Collaborating with environmental researchers and specialists to develop strategies for reducing harmful effects of economic activities on plant ecology.
Organizing research projects and presenting studies to appropriate communities for review.
How to become a Plant Pathologist?
Steps: 1
Aspiring Explore Plant Pathologist Education.
If you're interested in becoming a plant pathologist, one of the first things to consider is how much education you need. We've determined that 45.9% of plant pathologists have a bachelor's degree. In terms of higher education levels, we found that 21.6% of plant pathologists have master's degrees. Even though most plant pathologists have a college degree, it's possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED.
Choosing the right major is always an important step when researching how to become a plant pathologist. When we researched the most common majors for a plant pathologist, we found that they most commonly have botany, plant sciences and biology.
Step 2.
Develop Plant Pathologist Skills
It'll be a good idea to develop plant pathologist skills before applying for a job. Here are some skills commonly requested in plant pathologist job descriptions:
- Plant Pathology 32.19%
- Molecular Biology 15.58%
- Pathogens 15.23%
- USDA 12.86%
- Harvest 11.51%
- Research Results 6.68%.
Step: 3.
Complete Relevent Training/Internship
Plant pathologists spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. During this time, new plant pathologists learn the skills and techniques required for their specific job and employer. The chart below shows how much time it takes to gain competency as a plant pathologist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real plant pathologist resumes.
Step: 4.
Research Plant Pathologist Duties
When you decide to become a plant pathologist, It's important to know what duties and responsibilities are required for this position. Some common responsibilities are a part of most plant pathologist jobs. Here is a list of the main duties that define the role:
Supervise and manage pathology, microbiology and biochemistry laboratory.
Work with greenhouse and field crew personnel in a plant research and seed production environment.
Identify the compounds using NMR, IR, and mass spectral data.
Supervise the whole agricultural operation including guayule shrub planting, production, and harvest.
Characterize a wide variety of microorganisms through substrate utilization, volatile fatty acid analysis, and specific growth rates.
Direct and manage breeding efforts of specialty oil Canola varieties with superior agronomics that expand DAS recognition in the industry.
Step: 5.
Apply For a Plant Pathologist Job
With your ready resume, it's time to start searching for a new job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams.
Myth and Truth of being a Plant pathologist :
1.Myth : Plant pathologists have complete control over plant diseases -
Truth : One widespread misconception is that plant pathologists have total control over and are capable of eliminating all plant diseases. Although plant pathologists are vital to the study and management of plant diseases, effective eradication is frequently difficult because of a number of factors such environmental circumstances, pathogen diversity, and host resistance.
2. Myth : The idea that plant pathologists only deal with crop diseases -
Truth : It is another common misunderstanding. Plant pathologists not only research agricultural diseases but also illnesses that impact trees, ornamental plants, garden plants, and even natural ecosystems. Their study spans a variety of plant types and habitats.
3. Myth : All of a plant pathologist's time is spent in the lab, although they are not exclusively restricted to there -
Truth : While laboratory research is an essential component of their work, plant pathologists do other types of work as well. In order to watch and gather samples from infected plants, research disease outbreaks, gauge the severity of the disease, and analyze the effectiveness of management methods in the field is also necessary. Plant pathologists frequently divide their time between the lab, the field, and the analysis of data.
4. Myth : Plant pathologists solely research infectious illnesses -
Truth : Pathogens like bacteria, fungi, viruses, and nematodes are the main causes of infectious diseases, which are the main focus of plant pathologists' research. Their knowledge is not limited to infectious diseases, though. They also research non-infectious illnesses brought on by things like genetic problems, pesticide damage, dietary inadequacies, and environmental stresses. The management of these non-infectious disorders is a crucial component of their profession.
5. Myth : Plant pathologists only work alone -
Truth : Plant pathologists are frequently portrayed as lone researchers doing their own thing. In fact, their line of work depends heavily on cooperation and teamwork. To obtain thorough understanding of plant diseases and create efficient management techniques, they typically work in conjunction with other scientists, such as agronomists, geneticists, entomologists, and horticulturists. Finding transdisciplinary solutions and addressing complicated problems both benefit from collaboration.
