How do infected plants typically compare to healthy plants?

Infected plants are typically stunted and exhibit paler foliage compared to healthy plants. This is primarily because pathogens, such as fungi, bacteria, or viruses, disrupt the plant's normal physiological processes. These infections can impede growth by affecting nutrient uptake, reducing photosynthesis efficiency, and impairing overall health.

Consequently, infected plants do not usually achieve the same vigor or size as healthy ones; instead, they present symptoms of distress, such as yellowing leaves, smaller stature, and poor overall development. The contrast in color and growth effectively illustrates the negative impact of disease on plants. Furthermore, vibrant colors and healthy growth are hallmarks of well-nourished and thriving plants, not ones that are suffering from infections.