crown gall

views updated Jun 08 2018

crown gall A common and widespread plant disease which can affect a very wide range of woody and herbaceous plants. The disease is caused by the bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Galls are formed at the crown (stem-root junction) or, less commonly, on roots, stems, or branches of infected plants. On herbaceous plants the galls are usually soft, while on woody plants they tend to be hard. On trees, crown galls may reach sizes of 1 metre or more across.

crown gall

views updated May 18 2018

crown gall A common and widespread plant disease which can affect a very wide range of woody and herbaceous plants. The disease is caused by the bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Galls are formed at the crown (the junction of the stem and the root) or, less commonly, on roots, stems, or branches of infected plants. On the herbaceous plants the galls are usually soft, while on woody plants they tend to be hard. On trees, crown galls may reach sizes of 1 metre or more across.