Crown Gall
Crown Gall  Crown Gall is a common bacterium which enters plants through wounds such as those that occur during transplanting. The bacteria may be transmitted from one plant to another from a trowel or shovel which can wound a plant during digging. Crown Gall may also survive on dead plants for years in infested soil waiting for a suitable host.Susceptible Plants- A wide range of woody and herbaceous plants. Those commonly attacked plants include peaches, pear, cherries, grapes, brambles, euonymus, chrysanthemums, forsythia and roses. Symptoms - The disease first appears as small overgrowths or galls on the roots, crown, trunk or canes. Galls usually develop on the crown or trunk of the plant near the soil line or underground on the roots. Above ground or aerial galls may form on canes of brambles and highly susceptible cultivars of grape.
Although they can occur, aerial galls are not common on fruit trees. In early stages of development the galls appear as tumor-like swellings that are more or less spherical, white or flesh-colored, rough, spongy (soft) and wart-like.
They usually form in late spring or early summer and can be formed each season. As galls age they become dark brown to black, hard, rough, and woody. Some disintegrate with time and others may remain for the life of the plant.
The tops of infected plants may appear normal. If infection is severe, plants may be stunted, produce dry, poorly-developed fruit, or show various deficiency symptoms due to impaired uptake and transport of nutrients and water. Prevention and Control- Inspect nursery plants carefully before purchasing to avoid infected plants. Protect healthy plants by dipping their roots in Agobacterium radiobacter. To control mild infections of crown gall prune off diseased growth, disinfect your pruners between cuts with a bleach solution (9 parts water to 1 part bleach). Apply a Copper Fungicide After pruning you can use a product called Bonide Products Pruning Sealer , a protective dressing compound to be used after pruning, grafting, for torn bark or other damage. It sets quickly and seals the wound. It is Brown to blend with tree bark. Aersol; contains an antiseptic and a sealant to kill and keep out infections and insects. It Seals wounds on fruit trees, ornamental trees, shrubs and roses.
|
|
