Diseases, pests, and other problems common to many vegetables

Diseases

Nematodes

Insect/Mite Pests

Weeds

Herbicide Injury

Abiotic Problems Common to Vegetables


(Click on photo to enlarge)

In addiditon to the resources found here, the WSU Urban IPM Program’s Hortsense and Pestsense 
websites are designed for homeowner education and are used by County Extension Educators, Master Gardener Coordinators, Master Gardeners and Clinic Diagnosticians. Together, the two websites contain 1,050 fact sheets which provide up-to-date, research-based information on problem insects, diseases, and weeds and their management. The websites have been upgraded and the new versions are now available online. Additional features include a Hortsense image library and search, print and email options.

Diseases

Club root of brassica vegetables

Disease: Club root of brassica vegetables
PathogenPlasmodiophora brassicae
Host cropsBroccolicabbagecauliflower, brassicaceae (cruciferous) weeds, and radish.

below-ground symptoms of clubroot on roots
Below-ground symptoms of clubroot.
Photo Source: Lindsey du Toit

On-Line Resources:

Return to the Top

Damping-off/Seedling blight

Disease: Damping-off/Seedling blight
PathogenAphanomyces, Fusarium, Pythium, and Rhizoctonia species.
Host crops: Most vegetables are susceptible to damping-off/seedling blight including watermelon.

phthium root rot of watermelon
Photo Source: Lindsey du Toit
wilted and dead spinach seedlings
Post-emergence damping-off of spinach seedlings. Note the wilted and dead seedlings in the center of the photo.
Photo Source: Lindsey du Toit, Washington State University
Damped-off spinach sroot symptoms
Damped-off spinach seedlings washed in water to show root symptoms. Note the brown and blackened roots of damped-off seedlings compared to the white root of a healthy seedling.
Photo Source: Lindsey du Toit, Washington State University

On-Line Resources:

Return to the Top

Verticillium wilt

Disease: Verticillium wilt
Pathogen: Verticillium species, including V. albo-atrum, V. dahliae and V. longisporum, depending on the vegetable crop.
Host crops: Numerous vegetables including many brassica vegetables (but not broccoli), cucumber, 
eggplant, pepper, potatopumpkin, radish, spinachtomatowatermelon, etc.

verticillium wilt symptoms of spinach-1
Symptoms of Verticillium wilt only develop after initiation of ‘bolting’ (reproductive growth), and start as interveinal chlorosis of the lower leaves that progresses to interveinal necrosis.
Photo Source: Lindsey du Toit
Verticillium wilt on potato
Photo Source: G.Q. Pelter

On-Line Resources:

Return to the Top

White mold

Disease: White mold
PathogenSclerotinia sclerotiorum
Host cropsBeanvarious brassica vegetablescarrot, eggplant, lettucepotatotomato, etc.

white mold on green bean
Photo Source: G.Q. Pelter
dieback of carrot from whitemold
Dead and dying plants in a carrot seed crop infected with white mold.
Photo Source: Lindsey du Toit, Washington State University
white mold symptoms on lettuce-1
Symptoms resulting from basal infection of the stem from Sclerotinia inoculum in the soil.
Photo Source: Lindsey du Toit
White mold on tomato
White mold infection of a tomato plant.
Photo Source: E. J. Sorensen
white mold on cabbage
White mold symptoms on a cabbage head.
Photo Source: Lindsey du Toit

On-Line Resources:

Return to the Top

Nematodes

Root knot

Disease: Root knot
PathogenMeloidogyne species
Host crops: Numerous plant species including many vegetables such as carrotcoriander, onion, 
potato, etc.

Root knot nematode on carrot
Photo Source: E. J. Sorensen
galls cause by root knot nematode
Galls caused by root knot nematode.
Photo Source: Lindsey du Toit, Washington State University
coriander-root-knot-nematode
Patches of stunted plants in a coriander seed crop caused by root knot nematode.
Photo Source: Lindsey du Toit, Washington State University
root knot symptoms on coriander seedlings
Coriander seedlings showing various degrees of dieback and root galling from root knot nematode.
Photo Source: Lindsey du Toit, Washington State University
root knot on potato-1
Symptoms of root knot on potato tubers.
Photo Source: G.Q. Pelter
root knot on potato-2
Symptoms of root knot on potato tubers.Photo Source: G.Q. Pelter

On-Line Resources:

Return to the Top

Insect/Mite Pests

Aphids

Common names: Numerous aphids can infest vegetable crops, e.g., bean aphid, green peach aphid, melon aphid, and potato aphid.
Latin binomial: Numerous types of aphids including Aphis fabae (bean aphid), Myzus persicae (green peach aphid), Aphis gossypii (melon aphid), and Acrosiphum euphorbiae (potato aphid).
Host crops: In addition to cucumber, corn seed, melon, potato, tomato, eggplant and pepper, aphids can feed on many other vegetables including broccoli, cabbage, spinach, Swiss chard, squashpumpkin, beet as well as many weed species including Brassicaceae (cruciferous) weeds.

green peach aphid nymph on leaf
Green peach aphid may be found along the midrib on the underside of leaves of a host plant. Mature aphids are about 2 mm long (ca. 1/16 inch), egg-shaped, and the color of the wingless nymphs and adults ranges from pinkish yellow to yellowish green. There are usually multiple individuals in a single colony.
Photo Source: Michael Bush, WSU Extension, Yakima, WA
green peach aphid developed wings
The green peach aphid tends to overwinter in stone fruit trees. By late May to early June, individual aphids in a colony develop wings and fly to vegetable crops and a wide range of weeds. As the aphids disperse (June to August), they can transmit important viruses including potato leaf roll virus and potato virus Y.
Photo Source: Michael Bush, WSU Extension, Yakima, WA
aphid damage on leaf
The easiest way to scout for aphid colonies is to search perimeter vegetable plants for copious amounts of sticky, glistening honeydew coating the upper surfaces of lower leaves of plants. Honeydew may contain numerous cast (shed) skins (white to gray) and a black sooty mold (fungus) that colonizes aphid honeydew.
Photo Source: Michael Bush, WSU Extension, Yakima, WA

On-Line Resources:

Return to the Top

Blister beetle

Common name: Blister beetle
Latin binomialEpicauta spp. including E. maculata
Host Crops: Blister beetles are typically considered beneficial insects as the larvae feed on grasshopper eggs, but they are occasional pests on crops such as alfalfa, beets, beans, clover, potatoes, other vegetable and field crops, and native plants.

potato crop
Blister beetles defoliated a short section of an outside row of a potato crop, but did a little damage beyond that. The potato crop was adjacent to rangeland that had a lot of grasshopper eggs on which blister beetle larvae feed.
Photo Source: Sally Hubbs
Close up photo of blister beetle
Adult blister beetle of the species Epicauta pruinosa, which is differentiated from adults of E. fabricii by the second antennal segment: shorter than the third segment on E. pruinosa but longer or equal to the third segment on E. fabricii. E. fabricii has a range south and east of Oregon, while E. pruinosa, appears to be common in the Pacific Northwest and has a wider range. The two species produce different levels of cantharin, which is toxic and lethal to cattle.
Photo Source: OSU-HAREC Rondon’s lab (A. Murphy)
blister beetle damage to potato
Blister beetles defoliated a short section of an outside row of a potato crop, but did a little damage beyond that. The potato crop was adjacent to rangeland that had a lot of grasshopper eggs on which blister beetle larvae feed.
Photo Source: Sally Hubbs
Close up p view of blister beetle
Adult blister beetle of the species Epicauta pruinosa, which is differentiated from adults of E. fabricii by the second antennal segment: shorter than the third segment on E. pruinosa but longer or equal to the third segment on E. fabricii. E. fabricii has a range south and east of Oregon, while E. pruinosa, appears to be common in the Pacific Northwest and has a wider range. The two species produce different levels of cantharin, which is toxic and lethal to cattle.
Photo Source: OSU-HAREC Rondon’s lab (A. Murphy)
damaged potato caused by blister bettle
Blister beetles defoliated a short section of an outside row of a potato crop, but did a little damage beyond that. The potato crop was adjacent to rangeland that had a lot of grasshopper eggs on which blister beetle larvae feed.
Photo Source: Sally Hubbs
damaged potato field by blister beetle
Blister beetles defoliated a short section of an outside row of a potato crop, but did a little damage beyond that. The potato crop was adjacent to rangeland that had a lot of grasshopper eggs on which blister beetle larvae feed.
Photo Source: Sally Hubbs

On-Line Resources:

Return to the Top

Broad mites

Common name: Broad mites are tiny (0.2 mm-long adult females), oval, light yellow to amber or white or even green arachnids (so they have eight legs). Male adults are smaller. There are four life stages: egg, larva, nymph and adult. Eggs are colorless, translucent, elliptical, about 0.08 mm long, and covered with white tufts on the upper surface. Young broad mites have only three pairs of legs, are slow moving, and whitish in color. The quiescent stage is an immobile, engorged larva. Injury to broad mites can be difficult to diagnose because of how small the pests are and the locations where they feed on plants. Broad mites typically feed within growing meristems and require magnification to be seen.
Latin binomialPolyphagotarsonemus latus (Arachnida: Acari: Tarsonemidae)
Host crops: Broad mites have a wide host range in tropical areas and commonly infect plants in greenhouses in temperate and subtropical areas. Hosts include many perennial and annual plant species, including ornamentals, citrus, grape, and vegetables such as bean, cucurbits, eggplant, tomato, pepper, potato, etc. Adults feed on the lower surface of leaves and on fruit.

Severe damage to pepper plants caused by broad mites-1
Severe damage to pepper plants caused by broad mites.
Photo Source: Washington State University Puyallup Diagnostic Lab
Severe damage to pepper plants caused by broad mites-2
Severe damage to pepper plants caused by broad mites.
Photo Source: Washington State University Puyallup Diagnostic Lab
Close-up view of broad mites on pepper-1
Close-up image of broad mite eggs on pepper.Close-up image of broad mite eggs on pepper.
Photo Source: Washington State University Puyallup Diagnostic Lab
Close-up view of broad mites on pepper-2
Close-up image of tiny, white, broad mites on pepper fruit.
Photo Source: Washington State University Puyallup Diagnostic Lab
Damage to pepper plants by broad mites-1
Damage to pepper plants by broad mites.
Photo Source: Lou Almasi
Damage to pepper plants by broad mites-2
Damage to pepper plants by broad mites.
Photo Source: Lou Almasi
Damage to pepper plants by broad mites-3
Damage to pepper plants by broad mites.
Photo Source: Lou Almasi

Online Resources:

Return to the Top

Brown marmorated stink bug

Common name: Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB)
Latin binomialHalyomorpha halys
Host crops: Very wide host range including Oregon berry, grape, tree fruits, hazelnuts, vegetables including pepper, corn, tomato, ornamentals, etc.

brown-marmorated-stink-bug-2
Three or four key characteristics are used to distinguish the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) from other stink bugs found in the Pacific Northwest: 1) white bands on the brown antennae, 2) bands on the dorsal (top) side of the peripheral margin of the abdomen, 3) smooth leading edge of the prothorax (shoulders), 4) ‘gem-encrusted’ prothorax just behind the head (on both the dorsal and ventral side).
Photo Source: Lyndon Porter, USDA ARS
brown-marmorated-stink-bug-3
Three or four key characteristics are used to distinguish the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) from other stink bugs found in the Pacific Northwest: 1) white bands on the brown antennae, 2) bands on the dorsal (top) side of the peripheral margin of the abdomen, 3) smooth leading edge of the prothorax (shoulders), 4) ‘gem-encrusted’ prothorax just behind the head (on both the dorsal and ventral side).
Photo Source: Lyndon Porter, USDA ARS
brown-marmorated-stink-bug-4
Three or four key characteristics are used to distinguish the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) from other stink bugs found in the Pacific Northwest: 1) white bands on the brown antennae, 2) bands on the dorsal (top) side of the peripheral margin of the abdomen, 3) smooth leading edge of the prothorax (shoulders), 4) ‘gem-encrusted’ prothorax just behind the head (on both the dorsal and ventral side).
Photo Source: Lyndon Porter, USDA ARS
brown-marmorated-stink-bug-5
Three or four key characteristics are used to distinguish the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) from other stink bugs found in the Pacific Northwest: 1) white bands on the brown antennae, 2) bands on the dorsal (top) side of the peripheral margin of the abdomen, 3) smooth leading edge of the prothorax (shoulders), 4) ‘gem-encrusted’ prothorax just behind the head (on both the dorsal and ventral side).
Photo Source: Lyndon Porter, USDA ARS
pepper showing symptoms from brown marmorated stink bug damage-1
Photo Source: Nik Wimann, Oregon State University
pepper showing symptoms from brown marmorated stink bug damage-5
Photo Source: Nik Wimann, Oregon State University
pepper showing symptoms from brown marmorated stink bug damage-2
Photo Source: Nik Wimann, Oregon State University
brown marmorated stink bug damage on tomato
Photo Source: Galen Dively, University of Maryland
pepper showing symptoms from brown marmorated stink bug damage-3
Photo Source: Nik Wimann, Oregon State University
brown marmorated stink bug on corn
Photo Source: Tracy Leskey, USDA
pepper showing symptoms from brown marmorated stink bug damage-4
Photo Source: Nik Wimann, Oregon State University
close up view of brown marmorated stink bug
Adult Brown marmorated stink bug.
Photo Source: C. Hedstrom, Oregon State University
brown marmorated stink bugs
brown marmorated stink bug nymphs and eggs
Nymphs clustered around egg mass.
Photo Source: Nik Wimann, Oregon State University
fresh marmorated eggs
BMSB eggs are typically blue-green in color when fresh.
Photo Source: Nik Wimann, Oregon State University
brown-marmorated-stink-bug-1
Photo Source: P Shearer, Oregon State University
brown-marmorated-stink-bug-6
Closeup view of the ventral side of a brown marmorated stink bug.
Photo Source: Lyndon Porter, USDA ARS
brown-marmorated-stink-bug-7
Marginal dorsal banding pattern of the abdomen of a brown marmorated stink bug.
Photo Source: Lyndon Porter, USDA ARS

On-Line Resources:

Return to the Top

Flea beetle

Common name: Flea beetle
Latin binomial: Pictured is the western potato flea beetle, Epitrix subcrinita, but the tuber flea beetle, Epitrix tuberis, may also damage foliage.
Host crops: Eggplant, pepperpotato, and tomato.

damaged potato leaf by a flea beetle
Potato flea beetle damage on potato foliage appears as scallop-like scoops, rounded pits or shotholes originating from the underside of the potato leaf.
Photo Source: Michael Bush, WSU Extension, Yakima, WA
adult potato flea beetle
The adult flea beetle is small (~1/16 inch long), oblong, and dark brown to bronze in color.
Photo Source: Michael Bush, WSU Extension, Yakima, WA
adult potato flea beetle showing enlarged hind legs
The most distinctive feature of the flea beetle is the enlarged hind legs that provide the insect the ability to jump considerable distances when approached or disturbed.
Photo Source: Michael Bush, WSU Extension, Yakima, WA

On-Line Resources:

Return to the Top

Lygus bugs

Common name: Lygus bugs
Latin binomialLygus spp.
Host crops: Numerous different species of vegetables and other crops, e.g., alfalfa, beet, cabbage, carrotpotatospinachSwiss chard, etc. Lygus bugs can cause different types of damage to various growth stages of different crops. They cause blackheart on celery, blasting on flower tissues, collapse of asparagus spears, decreased yields in carrot, beet, spinach, and other seed crops, etc.

injured potato plants by lygus bugs
Symptoms of feeding injury from lygus bugs on potato plants.
Photo Source: Oregon State University HAREC Irrigated Agricultural Entomology Program (Silvia Rondon)
lygus bug-1
Symptoms of feeding injury from lygus bugs on potato plants.
Photo Source: Oregon State University HAREC Irrigated Agricultural Entomology Program (Silvia Rondon)
lygus bug-2
Symptoms of feeding injury from lygus bugs on potato plants.
Photo Source: Oregon State University HAREC Irrigated Agricultural Entomology Program (Silvia Rondon)
people sweeping for lygus bug
Sweeping for lygus bugs in a carrot seed crop during bloom to determine appropriate management practices.
Photo Source: Lindsey du Toit, Washington State University
lygus bug on a Swiss chard plant-3
A lygus bug on a Swiss chard plant. Note the wing pads developing on the insect.
Photo Source: Bev Gerdeman, WSU Entomologist

On-Line Resources:

Return to the Top

Seedcorn maggot

Disease: Seedcorn maggot
PathogenDelia platura
Host Crops: Many vegetable crops including snap, kidney, and lima beansonion, corn, turnip, pea, cabbage, and cucurbits. They cause the most damage in spring to newly emerging seedlings.

seedcorn maggot damage to onion
Onion seedlings damaged by seed corn maggot larvae, with the larvae (white) and a pupa (brown) shown in relation to the size of a paper clip and damaged onion seedlings.
Photo Source: Lindsey du Toit, Washington State University
seedcorn maggot damage on bean plant
Seedcorn maggot injury to bean leaves.
Photo Source: Tim Waters, WSU Extension Educator for Benton and Franklin Counties
Seedcorn maggot larvae-1
Seedcorn maggot larvae.
Photo Source: Tim Waters, WSU Extension Educator for Benton and Franklin Counties
seedcorn maggot fly on soil-1
Seedcorn maggot fly on soil.
Photo Source: Tim Waters, WSU Extension Educator for Benton and Franklin Counties
Seedcorn maggot fly-1
Seedcorn maggot fly.
Photo Source: Tim Waters, WSU Extension Educator for Benton and Franklin Counties

On-Line Resources:

Return to the Top

Spider mites

Common name: Spider mites
Latin binomialTetranychus spp. including twospotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae), strawberry spider mite (Tetranychus turkestani), and Pacific spider mite (Tetranychus pacificus)
Host crops: Wide host range, including many vegetables such as bean, carrot seed cropspotato, etc.

spider mite on carrot seed crop
Severe outbreak of spider mites in a carrot seed crop in central Washington.
Photo Source: Lindsey du Toit
spider mite symptoms on carrot seed crop
Severe outbreak of spider mites in a carrot seed crop in central Washington.
Photo Source: Lindsey du Toit
spider mites
Two-spotted spider mite adult and eggs on a potato leaf.
Photo Source: Silvia Rondon, Oregon State University
Eggs of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae.
Eggs of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae.
Photo Source: Silvia Rondon, Oregon State University

On-Line Resources:

Return to the Top

Squash bug

Common Name: Squash bug
Latin binomialAnasa tristis
Host crops: Cucurbit vegetables (e.g. pumpkin and squash).

gray squash bug
Squash bug nymphs are wingless and range from 1/8 to 1/2 inch long with a grayish white body color. They often congregate in groups on the undersides of leaves.
Photo Source: Michael Bush, WSU Extension, Yakima, WA
adult adult squash bug
The adult squash bug has a flattened, elongate body, dark to grayish brown with a speckled pattern on the dorsum, and measure about 1/2 to 5/8 inch long. They may appear to have yellow to orange-striped borders on the abdomen. They release a foul odor when crushed.
Photo Source: Michael Bush, WSU Extension, Yakima, WA
squash bug showing long beak
Squash bugs have a long “beak” that they insert into the vine or foliage, and feed by sucking sap from the plant. Yellow specking that later turns brown may appear on leaves where they feed. Severe feeding on young vines, or older vines during the heat of summer, can lead to plant wilingt distal to the point of feeding.
Photo Source: Michael Bush, WSU Extension, Yakima, WA

Online Resources:

Return to the Top

Western flower thrips

Common name (of damaging stage): Western flower thrips
Latin binomialFrankliniella  occidentalis
Host crops: Basil, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Cucumber, Onion, Potato, Pumpkin, Squash, Tomato, and Watermelon.

adult Western flower thrips-1
Adult Western flower thrips are minute (less than 1/8 inch long) narrow-bodied insects that range from straw to dark yellowish-brown in color. Their four wings are very narrow and characterized by long fringed hairs.
Photo Source: Michael Bush, WSU Extension, Yakima, WA
immature Western flower thrips
An immature Western flower thrip resembles the adult, but is smaller, wingless and translucent yellow in color. There may be multiple generations per year and thrips may invade vegetable fields when alternate flowering plants dry up in the summer or when an adjacent host crop is harvested.
Photo Source: Michael Bush, WSU Extension, Yakima, WA
cosmetic damage to tomato fruit by thrips
Thrips rasp (by puncturing individual surface cells and sucking cellular contents) the surface of flower and fruit tissues as they feed. Their feeding can weaken and deform flowers and reduce flower viability. The most visible damage is caused when they rasp the surface of the fruit in areas where two fruit come in contact or when a leave lies up against the fruit. This damage is cosmetic only and does not extend beneath the fruit skin.
Photo Source: Michael Bush, WSU Extension, Yakima, WA
thrip damage to cucumber fruit
When given the opportunity, thrips will feed on the surface cells of cucumber fruit, leaving ghostly white stippling. This damage is cosmetic only, limited to the skin of the fruit. Early surface damage to the cucumber can appear as corky patches, negatively impacting the surface finish.
Photo Source: Michael Bush, WSU Extension, Yakima, WA

On-Line Resources:

Return to the Top

Whitefly

Common name: Whitefly
Latin binomial: Pictured in these photos is the greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum), but there are multiple species of whitefly that can plague vegetable crops.
Host crops: Eggplant, pepper, potato, tomato, and other crops. Whiteflies are more frequently a problem in greenhouse (transplants) than in field situations in the Pacific Northwest region of the USA.

adult whitefly-1
Whiteflies resemble very small white moths. Whiteflies measure <1/8 inch (2 mm) in length. The adults tend to fly away as field scouts approach infested plants.
Photo Source: Michael Bush, WSU Extension, Yakima, WA
immature whiteflies-2
Immature whiteflies resemble small, translucent scales found on the undersides of infested leaves.
Photo Source: Michael Bush, WSU Extension, Yakima, WA
immature whiteflies-3
Immature whiteflies (nymphs) are very small and difficult to see without a hand lens. Whiteflies feed on plant sap. Large populations can cause leaves to yellow and prematurely drop from plants. Whiteflies excrete sticky honeydew that will cover leaves and become colonized by black sooty mold.
Photo Source: Michael Bush, WSU Extension, Yakima, WA
ofwhitefly egg attached to underside of leaf
A whitefly egg (white to brown in color) attached to the underside of a leaf. The egg is <1/16 inch (<1 mm) long.
Photo Source: Michael Bush, WSU Extension, Yakima, WA

On-Line Resources:

Return to the Top

Wireworm

Common name (of damaging stage): Wireworm (adults are called click beetles or snapping beetles)
Latin binomialCtenicera spp. and Limonius spp. Several kinds of wireworms are in the Pacific Northwest. Wireworms causing the most damage in irrigated areas are the Pacific Coast wireworm (Limonius canus), the sugar beet wireworm (L. californicus), the western field wireworm (L. infuscatus), and the Columbia Basin wireworm (L. subauratus). The Pacific Coast and sugar beet wireworms are the most common. Where annual rainfall is <15 inches, the Great Basin wireworm (Ctenicera pruinina) may be a problem, especially when irrigated crops are grown on sagebrush or dry wheat land. This species usually disappears after a few years of irrigation, but may be replaced by Limonius spp. which are favored by moist conditions. West of the Cascades, other wireworm species are pests, including Agriotes spp.
Host crops: All crops are susceptible to wireworm, but this pest is most destructive on beanscarrot
corn, grain, onionpotatoesspinach seed crops, and other annual crops in the PNW.

wireworm damage to onion bulb
Photo Source: Tim Waters, WSU Extension Educator
wireworms in soil around onion roots
Photo Source: Tim Waters, WSU Extension Educator
wireworm in soil near onion roots
Photo Source: Gary Pelter, WSU Extension Educator Emeritus
field of onions showing wireworm damage
Photo Source: Tim Waters, WSU Extension Educator
Wireworm larvae
Photo Source: Lindsey du Toit, Washington State University
Wireworms feeding on an onion plant in a bunching onion (CFC = cepa fisutlosum cross) seed crop.
Wireworms feeding on an onion plant in a bunching onion (CFC = cepa fistulosum cross) seed crop.
Photo Source: Lindsey du Toit, Washington State University
carrot showing wireworm and symptoms of wireworm damage
Damage to a carrot root from wireworms.
Photo Source: Doug Young, Professor Emeritus of Washington State University
A wireworm (click beetle larva) in soil
A wireworm (click beetle larva).
Photo Source: Oregon State University-Irrigated Agricultural Entomology Program (Silvia Rondon’s lab).
showing a wireworm on plant roots
A wireworm feeding on plant roots.
Photo Source: Oregon State University-Irrigated Agricultural Entomology Program (Silvia Rondon’s lab).
click beetle-1
A click beetle of the species Agriotes obscurus, the larvae of which are wireworms.
Photo Source: Oregon State University –Oregon State Arthropod Collection.
click beetle-2
A click beetle of the species Limonius californicus, the larvae of which are wireworms.
Photo Source: Oregon State University – Oregon State Arthropod Collection.
click beetle-3
A click beetle of the species Limonius canus, the larvae of which are wireworms.
Photo Source: Oregon State University – Oregon State Arthropod Collection.

On-Line Resources:

Return to the Top

Weeds

Field dodder

Common name: Field dodder
Latin binomialCuscuta spp.
Host Crops: Bean, beet, carrotonionpepper, potato, tomato, and many other crops (not only vegetables). Dodder is a parasitic plant that feeds on many other plant species. Dodder cannot photosynthesize, but produces haustoria that penetrate the host plant to absorb water and nutrients. Small, white to cream flowers are produced.
PhotosCarrot and Pepper

field dodder on pepper-4
The field dodder “net” can completely envelope, smother and kill crops.
Photo Source: Michael Bush, WSU Extension, Yakima, WA
field dodder on carrot-2
Dodder coiled on carrot leaves.
Photo Source: Lindsey du Toit, Washington State University
field dodder on carrot-3
Dodder on carrot.
Photo Source: Lindsey du Toit, Washington State University
field dodder on carrot-4
Dodder patch.
Photo Source: Lindsey du Toit, Washington State University
Dodder and nutsedge
Dodder (back) and nutsedge (front) in an onion bulb crop.
Photo Source: Lindsey du Toit, Washington State University
dodder symptoms on onion stems
Stems of a dodder plant in an onion bulb crop. Note the haustoria (protrusions) that the dodder forms to attach to and penetrate onion leaves.
Photo Source: Lindsey du Toit, Washington State University
severe dodder in an onion bulb crop
A severe infestation of dodder in an onion bulb crop. Note the clusters of small, white flowers.
Photo Source: Lindsey du Toit, Washington State University

On-Line Resources:

Return to the Top

Yellow nutsedge

Common name: Yellow nutsedge
Latin binomialCyperus esculentus (Cyperaceae)
Plants affected: Any annual crop; the most seriously affected crops include onion and other plants with a light canopy and narrow range of herbicides available for use.

yellow nutsedge
Closeup view of a yellow nutsedge plant/flower.
onion-yellow-nutsedge symptoms-1
Severe nutsedge infestation in an onion crop.

On-Line Resources:

  • Yellow Nutsedge (pdf). Identification & Management of Emerging Vegetable Problems in the Pacific Northwest, Pacific Northwest Vegetable Extension Group.

Return to the Top

Abiotic Problems Common to Vegetables

Air pollution or ozone injury

Common name: Air pollution or ozone injury
Cause: During very hot conditions in summer, combined with the presence of excessive air particulate matter, e.g., from wildfires, symptoms of air pollution and/or ozone injury have been observed in center-pivot irrigated crops of various vegetables east of the Cascade Mountains in the Pacific Northwest USA.
Host Crops: Various vegetables such as beanpotato, and sweet corn.

injured bean leaves by air pollution
Symptoms of air pollution and possible ozone injury in a bean crop.
Photo Source: Lindsey du Toit, Washington State University
injury to a sweet corn crop caused by air pollution
Possible symptoms of ozone or air pollution injury to a sweet corn crop.
Photo Source: Carrie H. Wohleb, Washington State University Extension

Return to the Top

Blossom end rot of vegetable fruit

Problem: Blossom end rot of vegetable fruit
Cause: Calcium deficiency resulting from various environmental conditions and management practices, e.g., inadequate Ca in the soil, inconsistent water as a result of alternating wet and dry periods that decrease Ca uptake by plants, and even excellent growing conditions such as a period of very bright sunshine and warm temperatures mid-season.
Crops affectedTomatopepper, eggplant, and various cucurbits.

blossom end rot stymptoms on tomato
Symptoms of blossom end rot on tomato fruit.
Photo Source: Krishna Mohan, University of Idaho
injured tomato fruit
Symptoms of blossom end rot on tomato fruit.
Photo Source: Carol Miles, Washington State University
symptoms of blossom end rot on tomato fruit
Blossom-end rot is a physiological disorder that first appears as a water-soaked, light brown spot on the distil end of the fruit. As the fruit matures, the spot becomes sunken, leathery, and brown to black. Secondary pathogens can infect the area, causing fruit rot. The disorder is more common on earliest maturing fruit. Blossom end rot is associated with a low concentration of calcium in developing fruit. In eastern Washington, this is often caused by excessive soil moisture fluctuations, drought stress, or excessive nitrogen fertilization. Soil surface mulches, appropriate irrigation timing and frequency, soil amendment with limestone, and foliar applications of calcium may reduce the incidence of this disorder.
Photo Source: Mike Bush, WSU Yakima Co. Extension Educator
symptoms of blossom end rot on pepper
Blossom-end rot is a physiological disorder that first appears as a water-soaked, light brown spot on the distil end of the fruit. As the fruit matures, the spot becomes sunken, leathery, and brown to black. Secondary pathogens can infect the area, causing fruit rot. The disorder is more common on earliest maturing fruit. Blossom end rot is associated with a low concentration of calcium in developing fruit. In eastern Washington, this is often caused by excessive soil moisture fluctuations, drought stress, or excessive nitrogen fertilization. Soil surface mulches, appropriate irrigation timing and frequency, soil amendment with limestone, and foliar applications of calcium may reduce the incidence of this disorder.
Photo Source: Mike Bush, WSU Yakima Co. Extension Educator

On-Line Resources:

Return to the Top

Edema

Problem: Edema
A physiological problem that is prominent when air is cooler than the soil, soil moisture is high, and relative humidity is high. The low plant transpiration rate combined with an increase in water absorption by roots from the soil leads to increased cell turgor pressure, resulting in eruption of epidermal cells as the inner cells enlarge. Protrusion of the inner cells causes epidermal cells to die and discolor, resulting in a ’warty’ appearance that can be misidentified as a disease. Symptoms are usually worse on lower leaf vs. upper leaf surfaces.
Host Crops: Numerous vegetables including brassicas, cucurbits, peas, spinach, tomato, etc. Vegetables with waxy leaves, e.g., brassicas, tend to be most susceptible.

Edema on Spinach
Symptoms of edema on the lower surface of spinach leaves, showing burst and calloused epidermal cells.
Photo Source: Pop Vriend Seed Co., Holland
Edema symptoms on Spinachleaf bottom
Symptoms of edema on the lower surface of spinach leaves, showing burst and calloused epidermal cells.
Photo Source: Pop Vriend Seed Co., Holland
Edema symptoms on Spinach leaves
Symptoms of edema on the lower surface of spinach leaves, showing burst and calloused epidermal cells.
Photo Source: Pop Vriend Seed Co., Holland
Edema on spinach
Symptoms of edema on the lower (abaxial) surface of a cabbage leaf, including calloused/warty protruberances from bursting of epidermal cells.
edema symptoms on pumpkin-1
Severe wart-like growths on a pumpkin caused by edema.
Photo Source: Lindsey du Toit, Washington State University.
edema symptoms on pumpkin-2
Close-up view of severe edema symptoms on a pumpkin.
Photo Source: Phil Hamm, Oregon State University.
edema symptoms on squash-1
Small but extensive symptoms of edema on a winter squash.
Photo Source: Lindsey du Toit, Washington State University
edema symptoms on squash-2
Close-up view of edema symptoms on the surface of a winter squash.
Photo Source: Lindsey du Toit, Washington State University

On-Line Resources:

Return to the Top

General nutrient deficiencies and toxicities

Problem: General nutrient deficiencies and toxicities

On-Line Resources:

Return to the Top

Vivipary

Problem: Vivipary (germination of seeds while still attached to the mother plant)
Crops affected: Solanaceaous vegetables like tomato and pepper.

symptoms of vivipary of tomato
This atypical tomato developed a dark discoloration just under the skin of the ripe fruit. When cut open, seeds within the tomato fruit were germinating. This physiological disorder is known as vivipary, where the seeds germinate while still in the fruit. It is suspected to be caused by plant stress such as drought, water stress, or potassium deficiency within the fruit. The fruit are still edible.
Photo Source: Michael Bush, Washington State University Extension, Yakima, WA

On-Line Resources:

Return to the Top

Stem splitting in brassica crops

Problem: Stem splitting in brassica crops
Crops affected: Any brassica crop grown for seed can develop stem splitting under conditions that promote very rapid spring growth (high soil moisture and warm temperatures).

canola crop stem splitting
Stem splitting in a winter canola crop in central Washington in spring (early May) resulting from very rapid growth under conditions of high soil moisture and sudden warm spring temperatures, following a supplementary nitrogen fertilizer application.
Photo Source: Karen Sowers, Washington State University Dept. of Crop & Soil Sciences
stem splitting in a canola crop
Stem splitting in a winter canola crop in central Washington in spring (early May) resulting from very rapid growth under conditions of high soil moisture and sudden warm spring temperatures, following a supplementary nitrogen fertilizer application.
Photo Source: Karen Sowers, Washington State University Dept. of Crop & Soil Sciences
rapid growth in canola stem splitting
Stem splitting in a winter canola crop in central Washington in spring (early May) resulting from very rapid growth under conditions of high soil moisture and sudden warm spring temperatures, following a supplementary nitrogen fertilizer application.
Photo Source: Karen Sowers, Washington State University Dept. of Crop & Soil Sciences
canola stem splitting in washington
Stem splitting in a winter canola crop in central Washington in spring (early May) resulting from very rapid growth under conditions of high soil moisture and sudden warm spring temperatures, following a supplementary nitrogen fertilizer application.
Photo Source: Karen Sowers, Washington State University Dept. of Crop & Soil Sciences

Return to the Top

Herbicide Injury

Problem: Herbicide injury to vegetables
Cause: Various kinds of herbicides can cause injury to different types of vegetable crops depending on the mode of action, use pattern, timing of application, rate of application, crop rotation, etc. Always follow label instructions to avoid herbicide injury to crops.
Crops affected: All vegetables are prone to some kind of herbicide injury if the herbicide products are not used according to label instructions or vegetable crops are not planted in accordance with label herbicide instructions.

On-Line Resources:

Return to the Top

Aminopyralid toxicity to vegetables

Problem: Aminopyralid toxicity to vegetables from pre-plant compost application.
Crops affected: bean, pea, pepper, tomato, spinach, etc. (almost any dicotyledonous plants).

aminopyralid toxicity of pepper
Aminopyralid toxicity to pepper.

On-Line Resources:

Return to the Top

2, 4-D herbicide injury

Problem: 2,4-D herbicide injury
Crops affected: Most vegetables are susceptible to 2,4-D injury

cucurbit injury
2,4-D injury on cucurbit.
Photo Source: Jenny Glass, WSU Puyallup PIDL
tomato injury
2,4-D injury on tomato.
Photo Source: Jenny Glass, WSU Puyallup PIDL

On-Line Resources:

Return to the Top

PDF Accessibility

If you need the content provided on this site in an alternate format or for further information on the Vegetable Seed Pathology program,

please contact: Lindsey du Toit at dutoit@wsu.edu or at 360-848-6140.

Our pages provide links to external sites for the convenience of users. WSU Extension does not manage these external sites, nor does Extension review, control, or take responsibility for the content of these sites. These external sites do not implicitly or explicitly represent official positions and policies of WSU Extension.