Final answer:
While symptoms like galls, leaf spots, and root rots can indicate fungal infections, they are not solely attributed to fungi as viruses and other factors can cause similar issues. Proper diagnosis is key for effective treatment, as fungi and viruses have different control strategies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Galls, cankers, leaf spots, leaf curls, scabs, blights, soft rots, and root rots are not exclusive symptoms of fungal infection, as they can also be caused by other pathogens like viruses, bacteria, and even physical damage. Plant diseases caused by fungi and viruses can show overlapping symptoms but can also have their distinct features.
Fungal infections are known for causing a variety of plant and animal diseases. Superficial mycoses such as athlete's foot, jock itch, and nail infections are common examples. Fungi can also cause more devastating diseases such as Dutch elm disease. Meanwhile, plant viruses can cause symptoms like hyperplasia (galls), hypoplasia, necrosis, and specific patterns such as ring spots.
It's important to accurately diagnose whether a plant disease is due to a fungal pathogen or a virus because the treatment and control measures can vary significantly. For instance, fungal diseases might be treated with fungicides or cultural practices that reduce humidity, while viral diseases often require removing and destroying infected plants.