Cultural & Environmental Problems - Vegetables

Published on University of Maryland Extension (https://extension.umd.edu)

Cultural & Environmental Problems - Vegetables

Diagnosing a plant problem when there are no apparent biotic (disease pathogen or pest) causes can present a real challenge. An abiotic plant problem is not caused by any disease organisms or insects. An accurate diagnosis, whether biotic or abiotic, involves both science, (botany, entomology, and pathology) and art (strategy, investigation, and decision making). Abiotic problems can be very difficult to diagnose because they include site conditions, weather, and cultural practices. Below are some common abiotic or environmental problems of vegetables. Click on a title for more information.

A large percentage of plant problems are primarily caused by abiotic factors. Symptoms can mimic disease and insect problems, leading homeowners to the wrong conclusion about the cause of the problem.

Air pollution [1]	Blossom end rot [2]	Bumps on roots and stems [3]	Catfacing [4]
Cracking [5]	Flower stalks form (bolting) [6]	Fertilizer or pesticide burn [7]	Fruits not true to type [8]
Green shoulders [9]	Herbicide damage [10]	Internal discoloration [11]	Leaf curl [12]
Low yields-undersize fruits [13]	Nutrient deficiency [14]	Off flavor/Poor eating quality [15]	Plant falls over/Branches broken [16]
Pollination Problems [17]	Poor blossom and fruit set [18]	Purple leaves [19]	Root crops - [20] Deformed [20]
Small blisters or pustules [21] (edema)	Sunscald [22]	Tipburn [23]	Uneven ripening [24]
Varietal characteristics [25]	Wilting - Drought or waterlogged soil [26]	Whitened leaves [27]	Yellowing leaves [28]
Zippering [29]

Related Publicatios:

(PDF) HG 59 - IPM Series: Eggplant [30]
(PDF) HG 57 - IPM Series: Peppers [31]
(PDF) HG 55 - IPM Series: Potatoes [32]
(PDF) HG 56 - IPM Series: Tomatoes [33]

Section:

Home and Garden Information Center [34]

Source URL: https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/cultural-environmental-problems-vegetables

Links
[1] https://extension.umd.edu/node/7920
[2] https://extension.umd.edu/node/7902
[3] https://extension.umd.edu/node/8067
[4] https://extension.umd.edu/node/8032
[5] https://extension.umd.edu/node/7940
[6] https://extension.umd.edu/node/8140
[7] https://extension.umd.edu/node/7925
[8] https://extension.umd.edu/node/8033
[9] https://extension.umd.edu/node/8035
[10] https://extension.umd.edu/node/7921
[11] https://extension.umd.edu/node/8068
[12] https://extension.umd.edu/node/7922
[13] https://extension.umd.edu/node/8095
[14] https://extension.umd.edu/node/7933
[15] https://extension.umd.edu/node/8099
[16] https://extension.umd.edu/node/8161
[17] https://extension.umd.edu/node/8143
[18] https://extension.umd.edu/node/8034
[19] https://extension.umd.edu/node/7923
[20] https://extension.umd.edu/node/8097
[21] https://extension.umd.edu/node/7924
[22] https://extension.umd.edu/node/8144
[23] https://extension.umd.edu/node/7935
[24] https://extension.umd.edu/node/7937
[25] https://extension.umd.edu/node/7919
[26] https://extension.umd.edu/node/7926
[27] https://extension.umd.edu/node/8167
[28] https://extension.umd.edu/node/8502
[29] https://extension.umd.edu/node/8155
[30] https://extension.umd.edu/sites/extension.umd.edu/files/_docs/programs/hgic/HGIC_Pubs/Edibles/HG59_IPM%20Series Eggplant_2018.pdf
[31] https://extension.umd.edu/sites/extension.umd.edu/files/_docs/programs/hgic/HGIC_Pubs/Edibles/HG57%20IPM Peppers_2018.pdf
[32] https://extension.umd.edu/sites/extension.umd.edu/files/_docs/programs/hgic/HGIC_Pubs/Edibles/HG55_IPM_Series_Potato_2018.pdf
[33] https://extension.umd.edu/sites/extension.umd.edu/files/_docs/programs/hgic/HGIC_Pubs/Edibles/HG56%20IPM Tomatoes_2018.pdf
[34] https://extension.umd.edu/sections/home-and-garden-information-center