crown gall
noun
: a disease that affects many species of plants and is caused by a bacterium (Agrobacterium tumefaciens) which forms tumorous enlargements usually just below the ground on the stem
Examples of crown gall in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Healthy soils with lots of diverse microbial life may also help to suppress crown gall.
—
Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2023
Understanding how the crown gall bacteria altered plant cells without destroying them was a critical breakthrough, one that opened an entirely new set of possibilities.
—Andrew Curry, Discover Magazine, 13 Mar. 2013
Plants can also get cancer, like the tree tumor known as a crown gall.
—New York Times, 25 May 2022
The tumorlike growths at the base of the trunk and on the rootball appear to be crown gall, Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
—oregonlive, 13 Mar. 2022
Common pests & diseases Black spot and powdery mildew are common fungal diseases, while crown gall disease may occur less commonly.
—Earl Nickel, SFChronicle.com, 7 Aug. 2020
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Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2023
Understanding how the crown gall bacteria altered plant cells without destroying them was a critical breakthrough, one that opened an entirely new set of possibilities.
—Andrew Curry, Discover Magazine, 13 Mar. 2013
Plants can also get cancer, like the tree tumor known as a crown gall.
—New York Times, 25 May 2022
The tumorlike growths at the base of the trunk and on the rootball appear to be crown gall, Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
—oregonlive, 13 Mar. 2022
Common pests & diseases Black spot and powdery mildew are common fungal diseases, while crown gall disease may occur less commonly.
—Earl Nickel, SFChronicle.com, 7 Aug. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Crown gall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crown%20gall. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.
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