Careful personal observation can often be much more effective than relying entirely on descriptions as it enables the identification of a wider variety of details. Use of a hand lens will enable the user to observe symptoms and signs more closely and is important as many pathogens produce structures that are only visible under magnification. In addition it can be useful to step away from the problem and look for patterns, location relationships and other important factors.
In order to develop a sound theory regarding the problem, observers should methodically ask questions about the situation and consider the following. What is the plant species and cultivar? Where is the plant growing? When was the plant established? What are the plants environmental conditions? It is also necessary to examine the symptoms of the problem by asking the questions; Have the symptoms progressed over time? On which part of the plant are the symptoms present? Are other plants nearby affected? Is there a pattern among the plants? Does the problem affect one or multiple species? How long have symptoms been observed? How quickly did the symptoms appear?
To ensure environmental factors are also considered, the observer should determine the environmental conditions when the symptoms first appeared taking into account unusual environmental events, whether the plant had been moved and the type of media in which the plant was growing.
Cultural practices can also play a part in creating plant problems and therefore it is necessary to consider issues such as fertilizer regime, water quality, watering practices, pesticide regimes, equipment used for pesticide applications, what the previous crop was like and sanitation practices. The observer should also look at whether the irrigation system has been effective, whether the plants have been leached and whether the soil may have been contaminated in order to make an informed evaluation.
When making observations regarding plant problems, observers should also look for any patterns and consider the following; Are the symptoms in bands? Are the affected plants scattered? Is the injury near the ends of an area? Is the injury in low areas? Are adjacent areas affected? What age of plant tissues are symptoms observed? Are the symptoms interveinal or intraveinal? Do the symptoms correspond to any microclimates? and do the symptoms correspond to any cultural practice?
After the above factors have all been considered and a theory has been established, observers should test their theory by asking specific, related questions (eg. Is stunting due to frequent watering/compacted soil?). Simple tests such as soil pH tests, soluble salts tests and nutrient analysis should also be carried out and ameliorative practices could be attempted in order to restore plant health and vigor.
It is important not to make a hurried analysis, even if similar symptoms causing the problem have been previously observed. Observers should make use of reference materials available in order to consider plant susceptibility to particular injuries and should not be afraid to consult an authority to aid the diagnosis.
In order to develop a sound theory regarding the problem, observers should methodically ask questions about the situation and consider the following. What is the plant species and cultivar? Where is the plant growing? When was the plant established? What are the plants environmental conditions? It is also necessary to examine the symptoms of the problem by asking the questions; Have the symptoms progressed over time? On which part of the plant are the symptoms present? Are other plants nearby affected? Is there a pattern among the plants? Does the problem affect one or multiple species? How long have symptoms been observed? How quickly did the symptoms appear?
To ensure environmental factors are also considered, the observer should determine the environmental conditions when the symptoms first appeared taking into account unusual environmental events, whether the plant had been moved and the type of media in which the plant was growing.
Cultural practices can also play a part in creating plant problems and therefore it is necessary to consider issues such as fertilizer regime, water quality, watering practices, pesticide regimes, equipment used for pesticide applications, what the previous crop was like and sanitation practices. The observer should also look at whether the irrigation system has been effective, whether the plants have been leached and whether the soil may have been contaminated in order to make an informed evaluation.
When making observations regarding plant problems, observers should also look for any patterns and consider the following; Are the symptoms in bands? Are the affected plants scattered? Is the injury near the ends of an area? Is the injury in low areas? Are adjacent areas affected? What age of plant tissues are symptoms observed? Are the symptoms interveinal or intraveinal? Do the symptoms correspond to any microclimates? and do the symptoms correspond to any cultural practice?
After the above factors have all been considered and a theory has been established, observers should test their theory by asking specific, related questions (eg. Is stunting due to frequent watering/compacted soil?). Simple tests such as soil pH tests, soluble salts tests and nutrient analysis should also be carried out and ameliorative practices could be attempted in order to restore plant health and vigor.
It is important not to make a hurried analysis, even if similar symptoms causing the problem have been previously observed. Observers should make use of reference materials available in order to consider plant susceptibility to particular injuries and should not be afraid to consult an authority to aid the diagnosis.
- Any chronic deviation from normal plant function, regardless of the cause.
- Any malfunctioning plant process caused by a continuous irritation
- Any chronic departure from normal plant function involving the expression of symptoms.
- An acute disturbance causing an injury. The damage may persist, but the cause, the irritant, does not (i.e. "tractor blight").
- Any agent that initiates a disease that is not an organism (pathogen). An environmental pathogen. These most commonly cause injury, but may cause disease.
- Term that includes both disease and injury. Any plant irritation or abnormal condition, whether chronic or accute.
- Abnormal growth pattern in a plant.
- A blanching of the green parts of a plant leaving a pale green, yellow or white color. May or may not be in a pattern.
- When the cells underlying the leaf epidermis are killed and the epidermal layer separates from the mesophyll. A type of chlorosis. Sometimes referred to as bronzing or silvering.
- Irregular mottling of light and dark green areas on the leaf.
- Death
- Stem injury where the cells of the sapwood or inner bark are dead. The necrotic area is sharply delimited from healthy tissue, and is often sunken.
- When the stems die back from the tip.
- The overall disease picture. This includes the symptoms, the different kinds of plants involved, the plant part affected, when the symptoms first appeared, and the general distribution of the disorder.
- The metabolic products produced by some plants from the roots, leaves or other plant parts that may be toxic or inhibitory to other surrounding plants.