Identify plant diseases quickly with clear symptoms, photos, and solutions to protect your garden from damage.
Nutrient Toxicity is characterized by leaf tips and margins appearing burnt or yellow (tip burn), often coupled with bronzing or dark spots, which severely stunts overall growth, potentially leading to wilting and the death of the entire plant if the excessive nutrient concentration is not promptly corrected.
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Root Rot is a destructive disease caused by various soil-borne pathogens (Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia) favored by waterlogged soil and poor drainage. Symptoms include wilting, yellowing (chlorosis) of the leaves, and stunting, while the roots appear soft, dark, and mushy. The rot destroys the root system, preventing water and nutrient absorption, leading to irreversible decline and plant death.
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Leaf Spot is a general term for diseases caused by various fungi or bacteria, characterized by circular or irregularly shaped necrotic spots on the foliage, which may have defined borders or a yellow halo. These spots reduce the functional leaf area for photosynthesis, causing premature defoliation in severe cases, thus weakening the plant and decreasing crop yield or aesthetic value.
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Drought Stress is a non-infectious condition caused by insufficient water supply, leading to symptoms like wilting, leaf rolling, marginal scorching, and eventually browning (necrosis) and premature leaf drop. Severe or prolonged stress causes irreversible damage to tissues, reduced photosynthesis and growth, and total plant death, significantly impacting crop yield and landscape plant survival.
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Nutrient Deficiency is a physiological disorder, not a disease, where plants lack essential elements, resulting in distinct symptoms like chlorosis (yellowing), often specific to older or younger leaves (e.g., nitrogen on old leaves, iron on new leaves). Deficiencies also cause stunting, poor fruiting, and marginal leaf necrosis. The primary harm is reduced growth, lower yields, and poor overall plant health due to impaired metabolic functions.
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Leaf Curl is caused by various pathogens, including the fungus Taphrina deformans (peach leaf curl) and certain viruses, resulting in the thickening, puckering, and curling or blistering of new leaves, which often turn red or yellow before dropping prematurely. This infection significantly reduces photosynthesis, weakens the plant, and decreases fruit production in affected trees and plants.
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Mosaic diseases, caused by various viruses (e.g., Tobacco Mosaic Virus), are identified by a characteristic mottled pattern of light and dark green or yellow areas on the leaves, giving a 'mosaic' appearance. They also cause leaf distortion, stunting, and reduced fruit size/quality. Viruses are typically spread by insects or mechanical means and result in reduced plant vigor and decreased yield, as they are incurable.
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Bacterial Wilt is caused by bacteria, such as Ralstonia solanacearum, which enter the roots through wounds and multiply in the xylem (water-conducting vessels), blocking water flow. Symptoms include rapid wilting of the whole plant or specific branches, which often cannot recover at night. Internal inspection reveals a slimy, creamy bacterial ooze when stems are cut, leading to plant death and total crop loss.
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Late Blight, caused by the oomycete Phytophthora infestans, is highly destructive, appearing as irregular, dark, water-soaked lesions on leaves, often surrounded by a pale green border, with white, fuzzy growth on the underside in humid conditions. It rapidly leads to total plant collapse and fruit/tuber rot, resulting in massive crop failure, particularly in potatoes and tomatoes, necessitating quick management to prevent devastation.
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