wilt

Wilt is the condition in which a plant loses turgor pressure, causing drooping or limp leaves and stems. It can be temporary, resulting from water deficiency or heat stress, or permanent if water transport within the plant is disrupted by disease, aging, or severe damage. Turgor, the pressure of water inside plant cells, supports a upright posture, and its loss leads to the characteristic wilt.

Causes and symptoms: Wilt may arise from drought, high temperatures, improper watering, or soil problems that limit water uptake. Overwatering and poor drainage can cause root decline, contributing to wilt as well. Vascular wilt diseases occur when pathogens such as Fusarium oxysporum, Verticillium dahliae, or Ralstonia solanacearum colonize the xylem and block water transport. Symptoms typically begin with lower leaves and progress upward, with leaves drooping while remaining green or turning yellow; in vascular wilt, internal stem tissues may show brown discoloration, and recovery after irrigation is limited or absent.

Diagnosis and management: Differentiating drought-related wilt from vascular wilt involves reassessing water availability and attempting rehydration; if turgor returns, drought is likely the cause, whereas persistent wilt suggests a vascular or irreversible issue. Management focuses on cause-specific strategies: for drought-related wilt, ensure consistent irrigation, mulching, and soil moisture monitoring; for vascular wilt, remove and destroy infected plants, sanitize tools, practice crop rotation, choose resistant cultivars, and improve drainage. Chemical controls are generally ineffective against established vascular wilts, and prevention through sanitation and resistant varieties is emphasized. Wilt encompasses a range of conditions that reduce plant hydration and vigor, from environmental stress to systemic pathogen attacks.