What is an abiotic disease?

An abiotic disease is specifically defined as a disease caused by non-living environmental factors rather than organisms like bacteria, fungi, or viruses. These factors can include physical aspects such as temperature extremes, water availability, soil pH, and chemical exposures. This understanding is paramount in environmental science and agriculture as it emphasizes the role that environment and management practices play in the health of ecosystems.

In contrast, a disease caused by living organisms pertains to biotic factors, and while diseases can also affect plants, that does not encompass all the criteria of abiotic diseases. The statement about diseases having no known cause mischaracterizes abiotic influences, which are well-studied and documented. Recognizing abiotic stresses helps in developing management practices that can mitigate these diseases effectively.