What are symptoms of insufficient water?

• A. Wilting, poor establishment, scorch
• B. Yellowing of older leaves first
• C. Browning margins
• D. Deep green leaves

Answer: (A)

When a plant doesn’t get enough water, its cells lose turgor pressure and can’t hold their shape, so leaves and stems droop—that’s wilting. New plantings or turf show stressed growth or poor establishment because roots aren’t supplying water quickly enough to support healthy growth. Prolonged dryness can cause scorch, where leaf edges or tips dry out and turn brown from tissue damage and dehydration.

Yellowing of older leaves first is more typical of nutrient issues (like nitrogen deficiency) or other stresses, not the immediate signs of water shortage. Browning margins can result from heat, high salt or fertilizer burn, or other stresses, and aren’t specific to lack of water. Deep green leaves usually indicate adequate moisture and nutrients, not drought stress.