Sudden wilting of plants in random patches indicates which underlying issue?

• A. Excess water
• B. Insufficient water reaching certain areas
• C. Disease
• D. Frost damage

Answer: (B)

When plants wilt in random patches, it points to water not being delivered evenly to the root zones. Wilting happens as cells lose turgor from water deficit, so if some areas aren’t getting water while others are, those patches will wilt while nearby areas stay OK. The likely cause is an irrigation problem—emitter clogging, restrictions in tubing, or irrigation zones that aren’t covering the bed properly. Soil moisture will show dry pockets where the wilting occurs, with other spots holding water.

This pattern fits uneven water delivery better than other issues. Excess water tends to create widespread sogginess and root problems rather than isolated dry patches. Disease usually brings additional symptoms like spots, lesions, or uniform wilting tied to the pathogen, and frost damage would align with exposure patterns rather than random patches in an active irrigation area.