Crown gall disease
Crown Gall Disease
Crown gall disease (pronunciation: /kraʊn gɔːl diːˈziːz/) is a plant disease caused by the bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens. This disease is characterized by the formation of galls or tumour-like growths on the crown of the plant, at the soil line, or on the roots and sometimes on the branches.
Etymology
The term "crown gall disease" is derived from the location and appearance of the symptoms. The word "crown" refers to the part of the plant where the stem and root meet, "gall" is an old English term for a swelling or growth, and "disease" refers to the pathological condition.
Symptoms
The primary symptom of crown gall disease is the presence of galls or tumour-like growths on the plant. These galls can vary in size and are initially light in colour, but darken as they age. Other symptoms may include stunted growth, reduced vigour, and in severe cases, plant death.
Cause
Crown gall disease is caused by the bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens. This bacterium has the ability to transfer a piece of its DNA into the plant cells, causing them to proliferate and form galls.
Management
Management of crown gall disease involves a combination of cultural practices, such as avoiding injury to plants, and chemical control methods, such as the use of bactericides. In addition, resistant varieties of plants can be used to prevent the disease.
Related Terms
See Also
This WikiMD.org article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.