leaf curl

noun

: any of numerous plant diseases caused by ascomycetous fungi (genus Taphrina of the family Taphrinaceae) or viruses (especially genus Begomovirus of the family Geminiviridae) and characterized by curling of leaves
especially : peach leaf curl

Examples of leaf curl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Peppers growing indoors can also develop leaf curl and leaf drop if they’re kept too close to grow lights. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 July 2024 Here are the top five causes of tomato leaf curl and what to do about each problem. Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 June 2024 Peach leaf curl is disfiguring leaves on lots of stone fruits this year, even those sprayed well with fungicide and horticultural oil last winter. Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2024 Spray dormant fruit trees and roses now to prevent leaf curl, fire blight, downy mildew, aphids, scale and other problems in spring and summer. Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Jan. 2024 Those images will allow farmers to look at weed species and density and estimate things like cover crop growth, insect infestations and leaf curl, which happens when plants begin to dry up, Cornell said. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 26 July 2023 Peach leaf curl is on nearly every peach and nectarine tree, thanks to the long, wet winter and spring. Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 May 2023 The trees developed leaf curl. oregonlive, 5 Dec. 2020 Spray dormant fruit trees now to prevent leaf curl, fire blight, downy mildew, aphids, scale and other problems in spring and summer. Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2023

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

Word History

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of leaf curl was in 1850

Dictionary Entries Near leaf curl

Cite this Entry

“Leaf curl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leaf%20curl. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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