Diagnosing Plant Disorders

Tools to use for diagnosing plant disorders include overall plant appearance, plant tissue testing, total plant analysis, soil testing and analysis, and soil and root abnormalities. Plant appearance will show animal damage, weather-induced problems, chemical injuries, mechanical damage, biotic-associated problems, and plant nutrient deficiency and toxicity symptoms. Many plant growth problems can be correctly diagnosed by skillfully examining the outward appearance of a plant. By knowing the appearance of a healthy plant, one can know what would be different to cause a plant disorder. Animals can damage plants in a variety of ways. Large animals, such as deer, squirrels, gophers, moles, mice, often graze on plant tops, may break off stems, or pull the plants out of the ground. These animals can be discouraged by electric or regular fencing or by placing some repellents close to the plants. Deer can be repelled by hanging small bars of odiferous deodorant soap on the plants; or by spraying the plants with a mixture of an egg in a bucket of water. They also do not like baler twine soaked in spent soil from automobiles. Rodents often live in mulch near trees and shrubs and feed on the roots or tender shoots sometimes killing the plants. Prevention of this kind of damage can be accomplished by placing a ring of gravel or hardware cloth around the shrubs or trees to discourage this feeding. Birds also can be a problem. Woodpeckers and sapsuckers may dig holes in trees looking for insects. By keeping your trees healthy, these birds are discouraged. Other birds are often attracted to new seedings. If shrubs or small trees are damaged by birds, netting can be used to cover the plants as a final resort. Dogs also can damage plantings, usually by urinating on them. There are repellants that can be used to discourage this. Man can cause damage to plants through accidents, neglect, or ignorance as to proper care. There are a number of ways that plants can be damaged mechanically, such as root damage, trunk damage, or leaf damage, usually resulting from accidents.

Micronutrients

Micronutrients needed by plants are Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, B, Mo, Cl, Ni, Co, V, Si, and Na. The required amounts of each of these elements is very small but still essential for desirable plant growth and reproduction. These elements must be applied to soils cautiously for the range between deficient and toxic is very small. It is unwise to use a fertilizer containing all of these micronutrients. Any one of them may already be high enough in soils to cause toxicity from that particular element. If a micronutrient is suspected of being deficient, it would be wise to get soil tests and plant tissue tests to corroborate your suspicions. If a micronutrient is deficient, one should apply only the amount recommended but no more. Sometimes a toxicity of an element is more difficult to correct than a deficiency. Copper, iron, manganese, cobalt, and zinc can be present in soils as (a) several types of precipitates, (b) adsorbed onto the surface of soil particles, (c) present in primary minerals (rocks) and secondary minerals (clays), and (d) present as complex ring compounds. These forms may or may not be available to plants. Precipitates of Cu, Fe, Mn, or Zn often form in soils at high pH (after liming Fig. 14.1). This may occur in soils near buildings from the lime used in the mortar. Soil acids dissolve the lime into Ca++ or Mg++ that migrate into the soil raising the pH and cause these micronutrients to precipitate. Often an Fe deficiency is evident, particularly on acid-loving plants, such as azaleas, rhododendrons, or hollies. If this is extensive, the soil near the buildings may need to be replaced. With limited areas, the soil can be acidified by adding elemental S near the plants affected. The elements Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn can exist as soluble forms or precipitates, depending on the pH of the soil. The soluble forms as cations are present when soils have poor internal drainage (poorly drained soils), whereas the oxides of these elements are present where the soil is well aerated.

Macronutrients—Nitrogen

Important considerations concerning nitrogen in plants include the amount of nitrogen required, the forms of nitrogen (inorganic and organic) present in plant tissue, the ways that nitrogen is used in plants and affected by fertilization, and symptoms plants show when nitrogen is deficient. After the nonmineral elements, N is found in the next largest amount. More N is needed by plants than all the other nonmineral elements combined, except for K. The range of N concentrations in plants is from 0.5 to 6.0%, with most plants having 1.5 to 3.0%. Inorganic forms of N in plants are NO3- (nitrate) and NH4+ (ammonium). These forms are usually present in relatively small amounts. Other inorganic forms of N do not accumulate without injury to the plants. Organic forms of N predominate in plants, mainly as amino acids and proteins. During and after absorption, N often follows this pathway: Proteins consist of a number of amino acids linked together into a large molecular structure. Once the proteins are formed in plants, N moves to other parts of the plant only if the proteins are split apart by hydrolysis into amino acids. The amino acids then flow freely to other parts of the plant where they can recombine into proteins again. Proteins consist of 12 to 19% nitrogen. Other complex proteins formed from amino acids are enzymes that act as catalysts in biochemical reactions. Proteins also act as reserve food in the seeds that is released during germination for early seedling growth. Another type of N-containing material is chlorophyll (the green coloring matter in leaves necessary for photosynthesis). In the center of a chlorophyll molecule is a Mg atom surrounded by four N atoms. Therefore, N is a part of the chlorophyll molecule and if N is deficient, then plants become yellow since there is insufficient chlorophyll produced. Other important N-complexes are purine and pyrimidine bases that can form adenosine triphosphate (ATP) during the respiration process as an energy carrier.

Fertilizers

Fertilizers for soil on which plants grow come in a variety of forms, such as organic, inorganic, single nutrient, double nutrient, complete fertilizer (contains N, P, and K in that order), speciality fertilizers, composts, and manures. Information about each of these forms follows. Most of the N used in fertilizers is derived from a synthetic process developed by Europeans called the “Claude-Haber process.” This process uses nitrogen gas (N2) from the atmosphere along with hydrogen gas (H2) from natural gas in a device where pressure can be increased and temperature can be raised. The reaction is accelerated using an iron catalyst and removing the product (NH3) as it is formed. The Fe catalyst is subject to poisoning from impurities, such as As, Co, P, or S. Anhydrous ammonia has the highest percentage of N and the cheapest per unit of N since no processing is involved. Anhydrous (without water) ammonia is a gas but when compressed changes to a liquid. For application to soils a pressurized tank is required with a device to inject the liquid ammonia into the soil. Upon release of pressure, the liquid changes back to a gas; however, the ammonia gas reacts with the moisture in the soil to form NH4+ that is available for plants. One problem with ammonia is that NH3 gas is toxic to seedlings and growing plants, so must be applied prior to planting. This limits its use for landscape projects. Salt solutions of aqua ammonia are obtained by dissolving ammonia gas, ammonium nitrate, or urea in water. The amount dissolved will vary the concentration of N in the final product. This can be used in landscape projects, but care must be used as this material can salt out and plug up orifices when sprayed onto a soil. There is no real difference between liquid or solid fertilizers, provided the percentage of N is the same. Ammonia Nitrate [NH4NO3] (33.5% N) Ammonium nitrate is formed by ammonia gas reacting with nitric acid: . . . NH3 + HNO3 → NH4NO3 . . . This material is hygroscopic (absorbs water from the air) and requires moisture-proof bags for storage.

Movement of Water Across Soils (Erosion)

Erosion is the physical wearing away of the land surface by running water, wind, or ice. Soil or rock is initially detached by falling water, running water, wind, ice or freezing conditions, or gravity. Movement of the rock or soil may follow. Erosion is the combination of detachment and movement of soil or rock. Water erosion can be subdivided into either natural or man-made. Natural or geologic erosion does not require the presence of man. This process has been going on from the moment that land masses were uplifted. An example of geologic erosion is the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Man-made erosion is also called “accelerated erosion” as it is more rapid than natural erosion. Changes that man or animals have made to the soil by cultivation, construction, or any movement of earth often result in loss of soil by erosion. Accelerated erosion involves raindrop erosion, sheet erosion, surface flow, and landscapes. For raindrop erosion to occur, there must be detachment of soil particles followed by either transportation or compaction. Sheet erosion is the slow wearing away of the surface of soil. Surface flow occurs when sufficient water collects to run downhill, resulting in small soil cuts (rills) that often develop into large ruts (gullies). Landslides or slips occur when large chunks of soil move as a unit downhill, often resulting in drops of several feet or more. As rain falls, the drops strike the soil surface moving the soil particles with energy being expended in three kinds of ways: (a) detachment— soil particles are broken into smaller pieces, (b) transportation— small soil grains are moved to a new location as they splash into the air; movement can be downward, to sides, or up eventually acting as a smoothing agent, or (c) compaction—raindrops compact soil surface on bare soil forming a crust, resulting in running the soil particles together (puddling) so that air and water can no longer enter the soil. This causes loss of infiltration and results in runoff.

Satellite Imaging, Laser Technology, and Computer Programs

management, and development planning. Two examples of this are: GIS could allow emergency planners to easily calculate emergency response times during natural disasters; or GIS could be used to find wetlands that need protection from pollution. A Geographic Information System (GIS) is an organized collection of computer hardware, software, geographic data and personnel designed to capture, manipulate, analyze, and display all forms of geographically referenced information (Allender, 1998). A more simplified definition would he: a computer system capable of holding and using data, describing places on the earth’s surface, for the purpose of spatial analysis. It is also “intelligent graphics” to aid in the analysis and depiction of complex data sets. Components of GIS include ARC/INFO:GIS software by ESRI (Environmental Systems Research Institute), ARC—graphical features of points, lines/arcs, and polygons, INFO—the relational database component of tables of data of any attribute that ties to a graphical component.

Engineering Aspects of Soils

Although most landscape architects use soils primarily for growing plants, sometimes they need to know how engineers look at soils. Engineers are not concerned about soil properties that relate to growing plants. Engineers consider soil as a support for building foundations, use in earthworks, a place for burying pipes that carry electricity, water, gas or oil, and as a tool for disposing of hazardous, municipal, industrial, and household wastes. Soil properties that engineers consider important are hydraulic conductivity (permeability), compressive strength, shear strength, and lateral pressures. Soil mechanics deals with stress/strain/time relationships. Some engineering properties of a soil that describe the relation of clays to water content were studied by a Swedish scientist, Atterberg, in 1911. Soil clays based on water content were categorized into solid, semi-solid, plastic, and liquid. The dividing lines between each of these four states are known as the “Atterberg limits,” that is, shrinkage limit (from solid to semisolid), plastic limit (from semi-solid to plastic), and liquid limit (from plastic to liquid). These points can be measured for individual clays. The Atterberg limits are used by engineers to classify soils based on their moisture properties. These limits are particularly useful for evaluating soil compressibility, permeability, and strength. The plasticity of a clay soil depends on the type and amount of clay mineral and organic materials present. Plasticity is the reaction a soil has to being deformed without cracking or crumbling. The “liquid limit” is a term indicating the amount of water in a soil between the liquid state and the plastic state. Soils are first divided into two categories of coarse-grained and fine-grained. Coarse-grained soils are those in which more than half of the material is larger than a no. 200 sieve. Fine-grained soils are those in which more than half of the material is smaller than a no. 200 sieve. Coarse-grained soils are further divided into two categories of gravels and sands. Gravels are those with more than half of the coarse material larger than a no. 4 sieve. Sands are those with more than half of the coarse material smaller than a no. 4 sieve.

Soil Organic Matter

Soil organic matter (SOM) is probably the most important constituent of soils. The effect of SOM on soil properties far exceeds the relative percentage of this material in soils. The small amount of organic matter in soils, usually from 1 to 5%, is very important in providing a reserve food source for microorganisms and higher plants. Almost all properties of SOM are beneficial for plant growth. Soil organic matter can be defined as a complex, heterogeneous mixture of plant and animal remains in various stages of decay, microbial cells—both living and dead—microbially synthesized compounds, and derivatives of all of the above through microbial activity. Soil organic matter is probably the most complex of all naturally occurring substances. Some compounds in SOM are distinctive to soil and are not present in plants or animals. By examining the composition of SOM, one can see why it is such a complex material. The following compounds have been isolated from chemical SOM extracts: . . . 1. Carbohydrates (sugars, polysaccharides)—about 75% of dry weight 2. Lignin (a plant polymer of phenyl propane units) 3. Proteins (combinations of amino acids) 4. Hydrocarbons—fats, waxes, resins, and oils 5. Tannins (phenolic substances) 6. Pigments (chlorophyll) 7. Organic acids (many in the biochemical Krebs cycle) 8. Miscellaneous compounds—includes organic P, organic S, polynuclear hydrocarbons, nucleic acid derivatives, alcohols, aldehydes, esters, etc. . . . Whenever organic materials are added to a soil the physical properties of soil structure, water-holding capacity, and soil color are changed. The extent of change in these properties depends on the amount and type of organic material added, the soil microorganisms present in the soil, and the speed at which decomposition occurs. Aggregation and granulation (crumb formation) is increased by polysaccharides produced by microorganisms during decomposition. This improves soil tilth (ability to work the soil) and helps stabilize the soil crumbs. The ability of a soil to hold water is greatly increased by addition of SOM. This results in greater infiltration (water moving into the soil) and adsorption of water by the SOM, with consequently less erosion and loss of soil particles and fertility.

Macronutrients—Phosphorus and Potassium

Plants have a P concentration between 0.03 and 0.70%, but the usual amount is between 0.1 and 0.4%. Phosphorus is found in every living cell of a plant and is involved in genetic transfer and energy relationships. The actively growing parts, that is, stem tips, new leaves, and new roots, need much P. Seeds, especially at maturity, also have a rich supply of P acting as reserve food. Phosphorus is used in plants for (a) root development—especially the lateral and fibrous roots; (b) cell division—energy for metabolism; (c) reproduction—flowering, fruiting, seed formation all controlled by nucleic acids; (d) maturation—counteracts the ill effects of excessive N fertilization; arid (e) disease resistance— especially important in root rots of seedlings. Plant P is a major constituent of chromosomes present as DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) used in reproduction and RNA (ribonucleic acid) used in growth processes. Plant P is also a constituent of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) that stores energy for plant use, along with many other phosphate compounds, such as phytin (inositol hexaphosphate) stored in seeds, phospholipids in the chloroplasts, and complexes of sugars, sugar amines, aldehydes, amides, and acids—all involved in plant metabolism. Deficiency of P is not striking or characteristic and is difficult to diagnose. The older leaves may be dark bluish-green, bronze, or purple. The stalks are thin, leaves small, limited lateral growth, delayed maturity, and defoliate prematurely. Probably the most obvious symptom would be the purple coloration, but this is exhibited by only a limited number of plants. The best way to determine if a plant is deficient in P would be to conduct a plant tissue test. If the P level is lower than 0.2% P, then P probably is deficient and the soil in which the plant is growing would benefit from P fertilization. . . . Phosphorus Toxicity? . . . Phosphorus toxicity has not been observed in the field and has only been evident in greenhouse culture solutions when P was present at extremely high concentrations.

Chemical Properties of Soils for Growing Plants

Soil reaction is the amount of acids (acidity) or bases (alkalinity) present in a soil and is indicated by a term called “pH”. By definition, pH is the logarithm of the reciprocal of the hydrogen ion (H+) concentration, or When a number has a smaller superscript number with it, the number is raised to that power which is called the “logarithm.” Raising a number to a power means multiplying that number by itself the number of times indicated by the superscript. . . . Examples: 102 means 10 x 10 = 100; 103 means 10 x 10 x 10 = 1,000. The logarithm (log) is 2 for the first example and 3 for the second. . . . Logarithms are used as these are more convenient in expressing the amount of hydrogen ions present. Under neutral solutions the pH is 7.0. Any pH that is less than 7 is acid and any pH above is alkaline. When changing from a pH of 7 to a pH of 6, the H ion concentration increases ten times, and when going from a pH of 7 to a pH of 5, the H ion concentration increases 100 times because pH uses a geometric scale and not an arithmetic scale. Thus, pH changes by steps of ten times the next adjacent number. The logarithmic scale used for pH is the same type, but opposite in direction, as that used to measure earthquakes. For each larger number of earthquake, the severity increases ten times; for each smaller number of pH, the acidity increases ten times. Some plants can tolerate very low pH (4.5) and others can withstand a pH of 8.3, but the optimum range for growth of most plants and microbes is between 6 and 7. Availability of most nutrients is affected by pH changes. Charts have been constructed to show this relationship. On these charts the pH at which most nutrients are readily available is from 6 to 7. At extremes of pH, availability of nutrients to plants often is reduced considerably.