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Crown
gall
Agrobacterium tumefaciens
(bacterium)
Annemiek Schilder,
MSU Plant Pathology
Bill
Cline, NCSU Plant
Pathology |
| Crown gall is an occasional problem in propagation
beds and new plantings, but is seldom seen in mature plantings.
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Symptoms
Galls are most common at the bases of canes
or on major roots, but they occasionally form on branches
higher in the bush. Young galls are cream-colored to light
brown; they turn dark brown to black, rough, and hard with
age. Infected plants are stunted and weak.
Disease cycle
The soil-borne bacteria enter natural or
mechanical wounds on stems and roots and induce gall formation.
The disease is less of a problem in acid soils.
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Management
Plant disease-free nursery stock in non-infested
soils; grow grasses or vegetables in infested fields for at
least 2 to 3 years; remove and burn infected plants; minimize
wounding; sterilize pruners; dip plants in a suspension of
A. radiobacter strain K84 before planting. |
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