{{Short description|Browning of plant tissues}} {{for|the plant disease|Bacterial leaf scorch}}{{redirect-distinguish|Sun scorch|Sun scald}} {{citation style|date=September 2018}} '''Leaf scorch''' (also called '''leaf burn''', '''leaf wilt''', and '''sun scorch''') is a browning of plant tissues, including leaf margins and tips, and yellowing or darkening of veins which may lead to eventual wilting and abscission of the leaf.<ref name=URI>[http://www.uri.edu/ce/factsheets/sheets/leafscorch.html] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080927083528/http://www.uri.edu/ce/factsheets/sheets/leafscorch.html |date=September 27, 2008 }}</ref>
== Causes == Leaf scorch can be caused by soil compaction,<ref name=URI /> transplant shock,<ref name=URI /> nutrient deficiency,<ref name=URI /> nutrient excess, drought,<ref name=URI /> salt toxicity,<ref name=URI /> herbicide injury,<ref name=URI /> and disease injury.<ref name="MoBotGar-BLS" /><ref name="UKy-BLS" /><ref name="UMd-BLS" />
== Treatment == Affected plants may sometimes recover through watering and fertilization (if the cause is not over-fertilization). Light pruning may also help to reduce the water-pumping load on the roots and xylem.<ref name=Cornell>[https://plantclinic.cornell.edu/FactSheets/leafscorch/leafscorch.htm] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090427012222/http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/FactSheets/leafscorch/leafscorch.htm |date=April 27, 2009 }}</ref>
In the case of leaf scorch through over-fertilization, recovery may take time, requiring a treatment of a slow leaching process through drip irrigation over 24–48 hours.<ref name=Cornell /><ref name="Purdue">{{cite web|title=Leaf Scorch of Trees and Shrubs|url=http://www.ces.purdue.edu/extmedia/BP/BP_25_W.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060903062055/http://www.ces.purdue.edu/extmedia/BP/BP_25_W.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 September 2006|date=3 September 2006|publisher=Purdue University}}</ref>
== Prevention == Reversal of symptoms and damage can be enacted through the following cultural practices:<ref name=URI /> * Pruning sprouts and affected areas * Avoiding frequent, light waterings which promote unhealthy root systems * Watering heavily to promote deep root systems * Avoiding over-fertilization
== See also == * Fertilizer * Forest pathology * Nitrogen burn
== References == <references>
<ref name="MoBotGar-BLS">{{cite web | title=Bacterial Leaf Scorch | website=Missouri Botanical Garden | url=http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/pests-and-problems/diseases/bacterial-spots/bacterial-leaf-scorch.aspx | access-date=2021-01-28}}</ref>
<ref name="UKy-BLS">{{cite web|url=http://plantpathology.ca.uky.edu/files/ppfs-or-w-12.pdf|title=Bacterial Leaf Scorch - Plant Pathology Fact Sheet|first=John|last=Hartman|website=University of Kentucky Extension}}</ref>
<ref name="UMd-BLS">{{cite web | title=Bacterial Leaf Scorch - Trees | website=University of Maryland Extension | url=https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/bacterial-leaf-scorch-trees | access-date=2021-01-28}}</ref>
</references>
Category:Physiological plant disorders