Pattern, frequency, and amounts of rainfall are important components to plant health. During dry seasons and drought conditions, plants become stressed. Growth ceases, nutrient transport slows, and plants wilt as cells become water-deficient. Severe, long-term, or consecutive drought events may cause permanent damage.
This publication provides a summary of the process of water uptake in plants, and then presents the types of symptoms that are often evident on drought-stressed plants. The long and short term effects of drought, as well as plant care, and plant selection are also discussed.
How Dry Seasons Affect Woody Plants (ID-89) is available online.
For additional publications on woody plant diseases, visit the UK Plant Pathology Extension Publications webpage.
By Cheryl Kaiser, Plant Pathology Extension Support, and Paul Vincelli, Plant Pathology Extension Specialist
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