Editing Physiological plant disorder (section)

==Weather damage==
{{More citations needed|date=September 2024}}[[File:20120607 škola 3802u.JPG|thumbnail|Drought.]]
[[Frost]] and cold are major causes of [[crop]] damage to tender plants, although hardy plants can also suffer if new growth is exposed to a hard frost following a period of warm weather.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Pennisi |first1=Bodie |last2=Thomas |first2=Paul |last3=Stallknect |first3=Eric |date=December 2016 |title=Effects of Low Temperature on Plants |url=https://extension.uga.edu/content/dam/extension-county-offices/catoosa-county/anr/Effects%20of%20Low%20Temperature%20on%20Plants.PDF |website=University of Georgia |series=Bulletin 1467 |pages=1–4 }}</ref> Symptoms will often appear overnight, affecting many types of plants. Leaves and stems may turn black, and buds and flowers may be discoloured, and frosted blooms may not produce [[fruit]]. Many [[Annual plant|annual]] plants, or plants grown in frost free areas, can suffer from damage when the air temperature drops below 40 degrees [[Fahrenheit]] (4 degrees [[Celsius]]). Tropical plants may begin to experience cold damage when the temperature is {{convert|42|to|48|F|C}}, symptoms include [[wilting]] of the top of the stems and/or leaves, and blackening or softening of the plant tissue.

Frost or cold damage can be avoided by ensuring that tender plants are properly [[Cold hardening|hardened]] before planting, and that they are not planted too early in the season, before the risk of frost has passed. Avoid planting susceptible plants in frost pockets, or where they will receive early morning sun. Protect young buds and bloom with [[horticultural fleece]] if frost is forecast. Cold, drying easterly winds can also severely inhibit spring growth even without an actual frost, thus adequate shelter or the use of windbreaks is important.

Drought can cause plants to suffer from water stress and wilt. Adequate [[irrigation]] is required during prolonged hot, dry periods. Rather than shallow daily watering, during a drought water should be directed towards the roots, ensuring that the soil is thoroughly soaked two or three times a week. [[Mulch]]es also help preserve soil moisture and keep roots cool.

Heavy rains, particularly after prolonged dry periods, can also cause roots to split, [[onion]] saddleback (splitting at the base), [[tomato]]es split and [[potato]]es to become deformed or hollow. Using mulches or adding organic matter such as [[leaf mold]], [[compost]] or well rotted [[manure]] to the [[soil]] will help to act as a 'buffer' between sudden changes in
conditions. Water-logging can occur on poorly drained soils, particularly following heavy rains. Plants can become yellow and stunted, and will tend to be more prone to drought and diseases. Improving drainage will help to alleviate this problem.

Hail can cause damage to soft skinned fruits, and may also allow [[Monilinia fructicola|brown rot]] or other [[fungi]] to penetrate the plant. Brown spot markings or lines on one side of a mature [[apple (fruit)|apple]] are indicative of a spring hailstorm.

Plants affected by [[salt]] stress are able to take water from soil, due to an [[osmotic]] imbalance between soil and plant.