Who is the father of plant pathology?

✅ Explanation: Anton de Bary is widely considered the "father of plant pathology" due to his significant contributions to the field. He conducted groundbreaking research on the life cycles of fungi and their role in causing plant diseases. He is also credited with establishing the causal relationship between microorganisms and plant diseases.

📌 Other Options Explanations:
-Option A: T.J. Burill: While T.J. Burill was a prominent American botanist and plant pathologist, his work primarily focused on bacterial diseases of plants.
-Option B: Needham: John Needham was a naturalist and biologist known for his work on spontaneous generation.
-Option D: E.J. Butler: E.J. Butler was a renowned British mycologist and plant pathologist, particularly known for his work in India.

🔑Key Points:
Anton de Bary 
-Anton de Bary, a German botanist who did research on the roles of fungi and other agents in causing plant diseases earned him distinction as a founder of modern mycology and plant pathology.
-He founded the developmental biology of fungi and identified the sequence of sexual and asexual stages and their fructified organs.