PPDL Picture of the Week
October 16, 2017
Blackheart of Celery
Wenjing Guan, Assistant Professor, Department of Horticulture and
Landscape Architecture, Purdue University, Southwest Purdude Agricutural
Center
Blackheart of celery is a physiological disorder that causes
significant crop loss in major celery production areas. It is characterized by
the breakdown of young leaf tissues in the heart of the plants. The affected
young tissues turn black, which give it the name “blackheart”. The cause
of blackheart of celery is related to calcium deficiency in the fast expanding
tissues, similar to the cause of blossom-end rot of tomato and tip-burn of
lettuce. The symptom is more severe as plants approach maturity. Fluctuation in
soil moistures; excessive soil fertility, especially nitrogen and potassium;
and high soil salinity favor the development of blackheart. Varieties may show
different tolerance to the physiological disorder. In addition, the problem can
be prevented by avoiding wide fluctuation of soil moisture and
over-fertilization. Drench application and foliar spray of soluble calcium
direct to the heart of the plant may help to prevent the physiological
disorder.