fusarium

noun

fu·​sar·​i·​um fyü-ˈzer-ē-əm How to pronounce fusarium (audio)
: any of a genus (Fusarium) of ascomycetous fungi having curved septate conidia which includes forms that are important agents of plant disease and others that produce mycotoxins implicated in human and animal disease
also : a plant disease (such as wilt or dry rot) caused by a fusarium

Examples of fusarium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Check tomatoes for leaves that are yellowing or wilting after watering—both are signs of fusarium wilt. Deanna Kizis, Sunset Magazine, 14 Aug. 2023 The largest species for which our region is best known are disappearing: aging out, dying from disease such as fusarium (a fungus), palm weevil infestation or incinerated by wildfires. Dirk Sutro, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2023 Some fungal diseases that develop inside the plant’s stems — such as verticillium and fusarium wilts — are not affected by fungicide sprays at all. Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2022 Invasive shothole borers have sickened at least 65 varieties of SoCal urban trees — such as box elders, maples, willows, sycamores, oaks and cottonwoods — by infesting them with their primary food source, fusarium fungus. Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2022 Inland gardeners are more likely to see fusarium wilt (F). Pam Peirce, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 Apr. 2021 When the microbes are in their proper proportions, pathogens such as rhizoctonia, pythium, fusarium, etc., function in a positive way. Howard Garrett, Dallas News, 23 Jan. 2020 Basil infected with fusarium wilt, one of the most common diseases, has brown streaks, twisted stems, and sudden leaf drop. Arricca Sansone, Country Living, 25 Apr. 2018 To avoid fungal issues such as fusarium and verticillium wilt, don’t plant in the same area for 3 years, if possible. Rebecca Jepsen, The Mercury News, 27 Apr. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fusarium.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin fusus spindle

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fusarium was in 1907

Dictionary Entries Near fusarium

Cite this Entry

“Fusarium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fusarium. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.

Medical Definition

fusarium

noun
fu·​sar·​i·​um fyü-ˈzer-ē-əm How to pronounce fusarium (audio)
1
capitalized : a genus of ascomycetous fungi (family Tuberculariaceae) including important plant pathogens, agents (as F. solani and F. oxysporum) of infectious conditions in humans and domestic animals, and mycotoxin-producing forms (as F. moniliforme and F. proliferaturm) that contaminate agricultural products (as grain)
2
plural fusaria -eə How to pronounce fusarium (audio) : any fungus of the genus Fusarium
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