Physiological Disorders in Vegetables
General Vegetable Disorders
Disorder | Cause |
Internal Brown Spot | Moisture deficiency |
Greening | Excessive sun exposure |
Black Heart | Poor ventilation |
Hollow Heart | Excessive nitrogen |
Chilling Injury | Low temperature |
Freezing Injury | Very low temperature |
Tomato Physiological Disorders
Disorder | Cause |
Cracking | Irregular watering, temperature fluctuation |
Blotchy Ripening | Potassium deficiency |
Puffiness / Pocket | Poor fertilization; low/high temp |
Blossom End Rot | Calcium deficiency + high temp + irregular watering |
Sunscald | Excess sun exposure |
Cat Face | Abnormal conditions during early growth |
Golden Flake | Ca-oxalate excess or K:Ca imbalance |
Radial Cracking | Temperature fluctuation, humidity, excess nitrogen |
Cauliflower Disorders
Disorder | Cause |
Riceyness | High temp during curd formation |
Fuzziness | High temperature |
Blindness | Frost or very low temperature |
Leafyness | Sowing early variety in late season |
Buttoning | Nitrogen deficiency |
Hollow Stem | Excess nitrogen |
Whiptail | Molybdenum deficiency |
Chlorosis | Magnesium deficiency |
Browning / Red Rot | Boron deficiency |
Carrot Disorders
Disorder | Cause |
Splitting | Boron deficiency |
Cavity Spot | Calcium deficiency + soil moisture change |
Bitterness | Excess ethylene |
Forking | Hard soil pan |
Pithiness | Aging and moisture imbalance |
Beetroot & Radish Disorders
Crop | Disorder | Cause |
Beetroot | Brown Heart / Crown Rot | Boron deficiency |
Radish | Akashin | Boron deficiency |
Watermelon Disorders
Disorder | Cause |
Blossom End Rot | High temp + Ca deficiency + irregular moisture |
White Heart | Poor quality; physiological (low sugar or oxygen imbalance) |
Bud Necrosis | Virus disorder; spread by aphids |
Other Vegetable Disorders
Sweet Potato; Growth Cracks – Due to moisture imbalance
Celery
Disorder | Cause |
Black Heart | Calcium deficiency |
Cracked Stem | Boron deficiency |
Pencil Striping | Excess phosphorus |
French Bean
Disorder | Cause |
Blossom Drop | High temperature |
Hypocotyl Cracking | Calcium deficiency |
Garlic
Disorder | Cause |
Bulb Sprouting | Excess nitrogen + high soil moisture |
Splitting | Delay in harvesting |
Lettuce
Disorder | Cause |
Tip Burn | Calcium deficiency + climate stress |
Rosette Spotting | Ethylene injury |
Chilli
Disorder | Cause |
Blossom End Rot | Nitrogen excess + water stress |
Frog Eye Rot | Calcium deficiency |
Cucumber
Disorder | Cause |
Pillow | Calcium deficiency |
Competitive Exam Notes:
- Blossom End Rot: Common in tomato, chilli, and watermelon → Ca deficiency
- Buttoning in Cauliflower: Caused by nitrogen deficiency
- Whiptail in Cauliflower: Molybdenum deficiency
- Tip Burn: Common in leafy vegetables → Calcium deficiency
- Pithiness: Occurs in carrot and radish due to aging/moisture stress
- Cat Face in Tomato: Caused by abnormal floral development
- White Heart in Watermelon: Quality disorder, not a disease
- Bud Necrosis in Watermelon: Virus, aphid-borne
Tips to Prevent Physiological Disorders:
- Maintain balanced nutrient supply (especially Ca, B, Mo)
- Avoid excessive nitrogen
- Ensure regular irrigation
- Avoid sowing early-maturing varieties in late season
- Use disease-free, certified seeds
- Protect crops from frost and high temperature fluctuations
