Abiotic vs. biotic: How to decode problems in your garden
Many paste-type tomatoes are prone to blossom end rot. It’s triggered by inconsistent watering practices that result in a calcium deficiency in the developing fruit.
Candace Godwin
Physiological leaf roll is a common indicator of heat stress, as shown here. However, if leaves are unhealthy and yellowing, it may signal tomato yellow leaf curl virus.
Photo by Candace Godwin
Blossom drop is an abiotic condition that happens when pollination fails due to extreme hot or cold temperatures, causing blossoms to wither and drop.
Candace Godwin
The noonday sun caused this cucumber plant to show signs of heat stress and wilting. Thanks to sufficient soil moisture, the plant recovered without damage once temperatures cooled.
This tomato exhibits severe stunting and deformed growth caused by herbicide damage. Photo Credit: Rebekah D. Wallace, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
Ah, the garden — always full of surprises. You think you've got the bugs and blight under control, but then your plants start acting up again. This time, the culprits aren’t insects or fungi.
Yes, these problems originate from the other side of the garden world: abiotic issues — problems caused not by living factors (biotic), such as pests or pathogens, but by physiological factors (non-living) driven by the environment or chemicals.
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