Penn State Master Gardener Practice Exam

Drought stress reduces a plant’s water status, so cells lose water and turgor pressure drops. When cells can’t hold water, leaves droop and wilt as the tissue becomes less stiff. If the drought continues, tissues at the leaf margins dry out first, leading to marginal leaf scorch—brown, burned-looking edges from localized dehydration. Prolonged water shortage also pushes the plant into accelerated aging; with photosynthesis limited and water conservation prioritized, leaves can change color and drop earlier than usual, causing premature fall coloration. Because these signs can all arise from insufficient moisture, all of the listed symptoms are consistent with drought stress.