Edema: A Physiological Disorder of Plant Grown Under Protected Conditions

Abstract

“Edema/Oedema” is not a pest/pathogen but a physiological disorder that develops when vegetable crops (viz., bell pepper, hot pepper, tomato, eggplant, etc.) or other plants are grown under protected structures or potted indoor. Being a physiological disorder it is a non-infectious problem but ‘edema’ due to the symptoms it develops; possibly be mistaken as a pest/pathogen. The bewilderment in ‘edema’ identification thereby creates ambiguity for its management. Under such circumstances, ‘edema’ gets the time-opportunity to cause its characteristic cosmetic damage on the plant leaves and also proliferate further to make a yield penalty to the affected plants. Understanding ‘edema’ and its causes are therefore crucial for its timely-management.