Plants show water problems early, if you know what to look for.
Too little water
- Leaves turn dull and darker green, then roll or fold.
- Midday wilting that does not recover by evening.
- Slow growth, flower or fruit drop, and in cereals, early tip burn.
Too much water
- Yellowing of lower leaves and poor growth despite moist soil.
- Root rot, stunted plants and wilting even though soil is wet.
- Diseases like damping-off and wilt increase.
Act early
Check soil moisture before deciding; yellowing can be water excess or nitrogen shortage. Early correction is cheap: adjust irrigation, improve drainage, mulch. Critical stages (flowering and grain or fruit filling) should never be water-stressed.
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