CDFA Pest Prevention Plant Regulation Practice Exam

Peach wart is classified as which type of disease?

1. fungus disease

2. bacterial disease

3. virus disease

4. parasite

The correct answer is: virus disease

Peach wart is classified as a virus disease. Specifically, it is caused by the Peach virus, which leads to unique symptoms such as galls or warts on the leaves and stems of peach trees. Viral infections affect a plant's physiological functions and can lead to stunted growth, reduced fruit yield, and can even render the plant more susceptible to other diseases. Understanding that peach wart is viral also highlights the nature of how it spreads and how it can be managed. Viruses typically require living host cells to reproduce, and they can be transmitted through various means, including tools and infected plant material. Knowing that peach wart is a virus emphasizes the importance of preventative measures, such as using virus-free planting material and practicing good sanitation in orchard management. The other classifications of disease, such as fungal, bacterial, and parasitic, represent different pathogens that have distinct characteristics and methods of infection. Fungal diseases often lead to rot or decay, bacterial diseases may cause wilts and blights, and parasitic infections usually involve organisms that derive nutrients at the expense of the host. These other types of plant diseases present different challenges in management and control, which differ significantly from those associated with viral infections like peach wart.