Wilting

Wilting refers to the flaccid state of plants, enters by inadequate water supply, but also by potassium deficiency or by pathogens. Welke manifests itself in the so-called wilting costume: loose, hanging down leaves. Wilting occurs when plants are not able to maintain the turgor by osmotic water absorption.

Cellular processes

When wilting, the affected cells pull together through the loss of water. A plasmolysis does not occur in land plants. For larger water loss, the cell wall is pulled inward and can also crimp ( Cytorrhyse ). The individual cell compartments shrink, dissolved in the cell substances are concentrated. Consequently many metabolic processes, especially photosynthesis and mitochondrial respiration are impeded. With progression of water loss to the vacuole fragmented into small Teilvakuolen, the thylakoids of chloroplasts and the cristae of mitochondria swell first and then reduced. In early stages of wilting reverse of the operations is still possible, however, after disintegration of the membranes occurs, cell death (necrosis).

Trigger

In nature, the wilting of plants is predominantly due to lack of water availability. On one hand, the distribution of the annual precipitation is independent of the plants need, on the other hand, the water-holding power of different arable soils is very different. The water tank force or the rainwater storage capacity of a soil is referred to as field capacity. This depends on the type of soil, the soil structure and humus content and the Turbation. The factors retained water, capillary water, soil water potential and hygroscopicity of the soil are crucial to the availability of water to plants. The permanent wilting point refers to the suction pressure, no water can be found in the soil from the plant and wither.

Root damage can also result in water shortages and thus wilt. Cause, for example, grubs and mole cricket.

In addition to the lack of water and plant diseases can lead to wilting. Examples are caused by fungi Verticillium wilt and Fusarium wilt, or bacterial wilt caused by Xanthomonas stewartii.