Distinguishing Abiotic and Biotic Symptoms in Plants

Diseases, disorders and other plant problems are critical concerns 
for the wholesale nursery.  These include biotic problems — caused by 
living organisms such as pathogens, nematodes, and insects and other 
arthropods — as well as abiotic problems — caused by factors such as 
temperature and moisture extremes, mechanical damage, chemicals, 
nutrient deficiencies or excesses, salt damage and other environmental 
factors. Many plant problems, especially biotic problems, if not 
recognized and controlled early in their development, can result in 
significant economic damage for the producer.  Therefore, timely and 
accurate diagnoses are required so that appropriate pest and disease 
management options and other corrective measures can be implemented.

 

Definition of Plant Diagnosis and Steps

Diagnosis is the science and art of identifying the agent or cause of
the problem under investigation.  When one renders a diagnosis, one has
collected all available information, clues and observations and then 
arrives at an informed conclusion as to the causal factor(s).  Hence, 
plant problem diagnosis is an investigative, problem-solving process 
that involves the following steps:

1. Ask and answer the appropriate questions to define the problem and 
   obtain information that is relevant to the case under investigation.
2. Conduct a detailed, thorough examination of the plants and production areas.
3. Use appropriate field diagnostic kits and lab tests to obtain clinical information on possible causal agents and factors.
4. Compile all the collected information and consult additional resources and references.
5. Finally, make an informed diagnosis.

Throughout this process compile all notes, observations, maps, 
laboratory results, photographs and other information.  This compilation
will be the information base for the present diagnosis and can also be a
useful resource for future diagnostic cases.  Keep an open mind as the 
information is analyzed and do not make unwarranted assumptions.

 

Distinguishing Abiotic and Biotic Problems

The first step is to determine whether the problem is caused by an 
infectious agent, and this can be difficult. Plant symptoms caused by 
biotic factors such as infectious diseases and arthropod pests are often
similar to damage caused by other factors.  Leaf spots, chlorosis, 
blights, deformities, defoliation, wilting, stunting and plant death can
be common symptoms of both biotic and abiotic problems; therefore, the 
presence of these symptoms does not necessarily mean the problem is a 
disease. Some general guidelines for distinguishing abiotic and biotic 
problems follow and are summarized in table 1.

Biotic problems. Identifying 
biotic problems is sometimes facilitated if signs of a pathogen, 
primarily the growth of a fungus, are present.  The most obvious 
examples of such signs are the mycelium and spores produced by rusts and
powdery and downy mildews.  However, in other cases nonpathogenic fungi
can grow on top of damaged plant tissues and appear to be signs of a 
pathogen, resulting in possible misdiagnoses.

Biotic problems often affect one species or cultivar of the same age 
and typically are initially observed in random or irregular locations; 
symptoms appear at varying times, and severity varies among affected 
plants. Biotic problems are infectious, spreading when environmental 
conditions are favorable, and may be associated with pests that have 
affected the crop. This infectious aspect is important, as biotic 
diseases will many times be progressive and continue to affect 
additional tissues and more plants.

Abiotic problems. In contrast to biotic 
factors, abiotic problems often affect several species or plants of 
various ages; typically, damage is relatively uniform, doesn't spread 
and is often not progressive. Abiotic problems are not associated with 
pests. They are often caused by a single incident and are related to 
environmental or physical factors or cultural practices. Once the 
responsible factor has dissipated and is no longer affecting the plant, 
the plant may grow out of the problem and develop new, normal appearing 
foliage.

 

Diagnosing Biotic Problems

Infectious diseases. To confirm if
a problem is caused by a pathogenic fungus, bacterium, nematode, or 
virus, it is often necessary to have symptomatic tissues analyzed by a 
trained horticulturalist or plant pathologist.  Such experts will 
attempt to microscopically observe the agent and recover it, if 
culturable, through isolation procedures.  Lab analysis is particularly 
important to determine if multiple pathogens are infecting the plant. A 
downside is that obtaining a diagnosis from lab analysis is not a fast 
process. However, quick test kits (fig. 1A) are available that can be 
used to rapidly identify many common diseases in the field. (Editors' 
note: See Steve Tjosvold's regional report for more details.)

                                                        A                       B

Fig.1. Diagnosing biotic 
problems. Plant pathogens can sometimes be rapidly diagnosed using 
commercially available quick tests, such as these test strips for 
viruses (A). Arthropod pests such as Cuban laurel thrips (shown here on Ficus) cause feeding damage, which can help in pest identification (B). Photos: S.T. Koike (A), J. K. Clark (B).

It is worthwhile to emphasize that diagnosing plant diseases requires
careful examination of the entire plant specimen.  Symptoms on leaves, 
stems, or other above ground plant parts might lead one to suspect that a
foliar pathogen is involved.  However, these symptoms could also result
if the roots are diseased.  Therefore, it is important to conduct a 
complete examination of the symptomatic plant. 

Because biotic diseases are caused by living microorganisms, the 
collecting and handling of samples is particularly critical.  Samples 
that are stored for too long a time after collecting or that are allowed
to dry out or become hot (if left inside a vehicle, for example) will 
sometimes cause the pathogen in the sample to die, making pathogen 
recovery and identification impossible.  Plants that have been diseased 
for a long time and that are in the late stages of disease development 
will often be colonized by nonpathogenic saprophytic organisms.  If 
these tissues are collected, it will be difficult to recover the primary
pathogen of concern because of the presence of these secondary decay 
organisms.  Root samples should be collected carefully as diseased roots
are sometimes difficult to dig out of the potting mix or soil, are 
usually colonized by the pathogen as well as secondary agents, and are 
very sensitive to high temperatures and drying conditions.

Arthropod and other invertebrate pests. Insects,
mites, slugs and snails cause damage while feeding on the plant (fig. 
1B).  Feeding damage is usually associated by the type of feeding 
characteristics and mouthparts of the insect or pest.  For example, 
mites and insects such as whiteflies, aphids and mealybugs have tubular 
sucking mouthparts that suck plant fluids, causing buds, leaves, or 
flowers to discolor, distort, wilt, or drop. Thrips have rasping 
mouthparts that result in dried out, bleached plant tissue. 
Caterpillars, weevils, snails and slugs have chewing mouthparts that 
make holes and cuts in foliage or flowers.  They can also prune plant 
parts and sometimes consume entire plants.

If present, these pests are visible with the naked eye, a 10 X hand 
lens, or stereomicroscope, all depending upon their size.   An 
assessment of whether the identified arthropod or invertebrate matches 
the plant damage it is associated with must be determined.  Sometimes 
the identified arthropod or invertebrate may not be the sole problem or 
could, in fact, be a beneficial organism or insignificant pest.

Aphids, whiteflies, thrips, leafhoppers and some other insects that 
suck plant juices may vector pathogens such as viruses and phytoplasmas 
(and to a lesser extent fungi and bacteria).  They can feed on infected 
plants, acquire the pathogen, feed on healthy host plants and transmit 
the pathogen to the new host.  The insects do not necessarily have to be
present in large numbers to cause a significant disease outbreak.  The 
insect vectors are not always present at the same time the disease 
symptoms are being expressed.

The excrement and byproducts from these pests can also provide clues 
that the pests have been or are actively present.  Caterpillars and 
other chewing pests produce dark excrement or droppings.  Greenhouse 
thrips and plant bugs produce dark, watery, or varnish-like droppings on
foliage.  Aphids, whiteflies, soft scales, and some other sap-sucking 
insects excrete excess plant fluids as honeydew, a sticky sap, which 
provides a medium for the growth of sooty mold.

 

Diagnosing Abiotic Problems

Nutrient deficiencies and toxicities. Nutrient
deficiencies and toxicities reduce shoot growth and leaf size, cause 
leaf chlorosis (fig.2A), necrosis and dieback of plant parts. However, 
nutrient deficiencies cannot be reliably diagnosed on the basis of 
symptoms alone because numerous other plant problems can produce similar
symptoms.  There are general symptoms that can be expressed by 
deficiencies of nutrients but usually leaf and/or soil samples are 
needed to confirm the problem.

                                                                 A                       B
Fig. 2. Examples of abiotic problems. Iron deficiency on sweet gum (Liquidambar styracifolia) showing interveinal chlorosis (A). Chorotic spots on Hedera caused by a miticide application at a higher dosage rate than specified on the pesticide label (B). Photos: E. Martin (A), S. A. Tjosvold (B).
 

Herbicide, insecticide and fungicide phytotoxicity. Herbicides
used to control weeds in crops or in non-cropped areas sometimes injure
ornamental crops when they are not used in accordance with label 
instructions. Examples include when an herbicide is used in or around 
sensitive non-target crops, when an herbicide rate is increased above 
tolerable limits, or when an applicator makes a careless application.  
By understanding the mode of action of the herbicide, one can determine 
if the symptom fits an herbicide application. Herbicide detection in 
affected plants is possible with the help of a specialized laboratory 
but the analysis can be expensive. To minimize the cost of testing, the 
laboratory will need to know the suspected herbicide or its chemical 
group to narrow the analysis.

Insecticides and fungicides occasionally cause obvious plant damage. 
Symptoms can vary widely.  Generally, flower petals are more 
susceptible to damage from pesticide applications than are leaves.  The 
younger and more tender the leaves the more susceptible they are to 
pesticide applications.  Hot weather can exacerbate the damage the 
chemicals cause.  Pesticides that have systemic action can have a more 
profound effect.  Some active ingredients can adversely affect the 
photosynthetic mechanism or other physiological processes and can result
in a general leaf chlorosis, interveinal chlorosis, leaf curling and 
stunting.  Emulsifiable concentrate (EC) formulations, soaps and oils 
can adversely affect the waxy surface layer that protects the leaf from 
desiccation.  Applications with these products can result in the loss of
the shiny appearance of a leaf, leaf spotting and necrosis.  Pesticides
applied as soil drenches can cause poor germination, seedling death, or
distorted plant growth.

Check label precautions against use on certain species. Make sure the
pesticide is not applied more frequently or at a higher rate (fig. 2B) 
than recommended, or that the pesticide is not mixed with incompatible 
pesticides.  When in doubt as to whether the plant species is sensitive 
to the pesticide, spray a few plants and observe them for several days 
to a week for any signs of damage before spraying any more of the 
plants. 

 

Physiological and Genetic Disorders

There are numerous disorders that can occur because of environmental 
extremes — too much or too little of an environmental element such as 
light, temperature, water, or wind.  Sunburn is damage to foliage and 
other herbaceous plant parts caused by a combination of too much light 
and heat and insufficient moisture.  A yellow or brown area develops on 
foliage, which then dies beginning in areas between the veins.  Sunscald
is damage to bark caused by excessive light or heat.  Damaged bark 
becomes cracked and sunken.  Frost damage causes shoots, buds and 
flowers to curl, turn brown or black and die.  Hailstones injure leaves,
twigs, and in serious cases even the bark.  Chilling damage in 
sensitive plants can cause wilting of foliage and flowers and 
development of dark water-soaked spots on leaves that can eventually 
turn light brown or bleached, and die.  Physical and mechanical injury 
can occur when plants are mishandled during transport or routine 
cultural practices.  Wounds might serve as entry sites for plant 
pathogens and can attract boring insects to woody stems.

In closed environments such as greenhouses and nursery storage areas,
plants can be exposed to toxic levels of ethylene gas. Sources of 
ethylene include improperly functioning or unvented greenhouse heaters; 
exhaust from engines of forklifts and vehicles; cigarette smoke; 
damaged, decaying, or dying plants; and ripe or decaying fruit.  Toxic 
levels of ethylene gas can cause premature abscission of flower buds, 
petals (fig. 3) and leaves.  Other symptoms include wilted flowers, 
chlorosis, twisted growth or downward bending of stems and leaves and 
undersized or narrow leaves.

                                                        A                       B

Fig. 3. Poor air quality can 
lead to physiological disorders. Shattering (petal drop) on geranium was
caused by plant exposure to low levels of ethylene in the greenhouse or
during postharvest storage (A). Yellowish and brownish patches on 
Japanese maple leaves are damage caused by ozone (B), an outdoor air 
pollutant. Photos: J. K. Clark.

Outdoors, exposure of nursery plants to air pollutant gases such as 
ozone (fig. 3), carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides and sulfur dioxide can 
cause damage.  Typical symptoms vary widely, but include slow growth and
discolored, dying, or prematurely dropping foliage.  Damage is often 
found where plants are located near sources of polluted air such as near
freeways or industries or where weather and topography concentrate the 
pollutants.

Sometimes plants or plant shoots exhibit an unusual and sudden change
of color producing discrete markings of variegation.  For example, a 
plant with entirely green leaves suddenly produces a shoot that has 
leaves with edges lacking green pigment, stripes, or blotches.  A new 
shoot such as this is probably a chimera (fig. 4).  It is produced when a
genetic mutation occurs in a specific region of the growing tip 
resulting in a section with genetically different cells.  The ostensible
result of the genetic change is dependent on the arrangement of the 
genetically different cells in the shoot tip and their expression.  This
can lead to sometimes bizarre variegation forms or sometimes forms that
are quite desirable.  Sometimes variegation can be caused by viruses.  
Viruses usually cause non-uniform chlorosis, such as mosaics, while 
chimeras usually produce patterned forms such as variegation of color on
leaf margins, stripes, or complete loss of pigment. Some viroids may 
also cause bleaching of pigments in leaves; such symptoms, however, are 
generally produced throughout the plant and are not restricted to a 
single shoot.  Some nutrient disorders can cause variegation but these 
disorders usually do not arise from a specific shoot as with chimeras.

Fig. 4. Genetic disorder. 
Growing points with variegated leaves can sometimes arise spontaneously 
from some species such as this Origanum. Genetic variants such as this are sometimes confused with plants with virus disease or nutrient deficiency symptoms. Photo: S. A. Tjosvold.

Steve Tjosvold is Environmental Horticulture Advisor and 
Steve Koike is Plant Pathology Farm Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension, 
Santa Cruz and Monterey counties.

This article was condensed from: Diagnosing Plant 
Problems, Chapter 11.  In Newman, J. (ed) Container Nursery Production 
and Business Management. Univ. of Calif. Agric. and Nat. Resources. 
Publication 3540. Richmond, CA.

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