Identification should include distinguishing the cause of poor plant health by observing
- the appearance of the plant (i.e., plant color, stunting, wilt, etc.)
- plant symptoms (i.e., chlorosis, flecking, damping-off, etc.)
- signs of the causal agent (i.e., tracks, bite marks, chemical residue, frass, etc.)
- biotic
- insects
- mites
- fungi
- bacteria
- nematodes
- viruses
- parasitic plants
- protozoa
- animals
- abiotic
- nutrient imbalances
- drought
- excess soil moisture
- limited light
- reduced oxygen availability
- air pollution
- soil pH extremes
- pesticide toxicity
- compaction
- cultural practices
- mechanical damage
- temperature extremes.
Process/Skill Questions:
- What is damping-off, and what are the possible causes?
- What is stunting, and what are the causes?
- What causes honeydew on plants, and what are possible treatments?