Episode 5- Root of All Evil: When plants catch a cold

Even the most resilient plants have their weak spots. In this episode, Professor Jacquie van der Waals delves into the science of Plant Pathology — where microscopic foes meet macro-scale consequences. From the citrus groves battling canker to potatoes facing down late blight, we explore how plant diseases emerge, spread, and reshape agriculture. It’s a story of spores and survival, where each infection tells a tale of evolution, adaptation, and the constant arms race between pathogen and plant.