Ethylene Injury of Solanaceous Crops
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Ethylene injury may be difficult to diagnose, but symptoms can include: yellowing leaves, shedding leaves, dropping flowers or buds, stunted growth, and/or downward turned leaves that appear wilted but are still firm to the touch. Similar symptoms may be observed when plants are accidentally exposed to certain herbicides. Tomato plants are extremely sensitive to ethylene and the injury can be observed within 24 hours of exposure. Ethylene is a colorless, odorless gas that is a naturally occurring plant hormone and is present in many ripening fruit. However, ethylene can also come from the exhaust from a furnace when there is incomplete combustion. The injury is often observed in the late winter or early spring in greenhouses and heated high tunnels. Have heaters and furnaces checked annually before using them.
Ethylene damage on tomato.
(Photo: Erin Hill, Michigan State University)
Ethylene damage on tomato.
(Photo: Erin Hill, Michigan State University)
