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Bacterial leaf scorch

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bacterial leaf scorch
Large pin oak (Quercus palustris) stricken with bacterial leaf scorch during leaf-out
Common namesBLS
Causal agentsXylella fastidiosa
Hoststrees and crops
Vectorsleafhoppers

Bacterial leaf scorch (commonly abbreviated BLS, also called bacterial leaf spot) is a disease state affecting many crops, caused mainly by the xylem-plugging bacterium Xylella fastidiosa.[1] It can be mistaken for ordinary leaf scorch caused by cultural practices such as over-fertilization.[1]

Hosts

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BLS can be found on a wide variety of hosts, ranging from ornamental trees (elm, maple, oak) and shrubs, to crop species including blueberry and almond.[citation needed]

Symptoms

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An irregular browning leaf margin which may or may not be bordered by a pale halo.[2]

Symptoms re-occur every year, spreading throughout the tree crown, eventually killing the host plant.[2]

Vectors

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Xylem-feeding leafhoppers can transmit the disease bacteria.[2]

Treatment

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There are no known effective treatments for BLS, consequently, removal of affected plants is recommended.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Forest Health Protection - Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry". www.fs.usda.gov. Archived from the original on 2019-06-07. Retrieved 2019-06-11.
  2. ^ a b c d "BACTERIAL LEAF SCORCH OF SHADE TREES". Archived from the original on 2009-04-16. Retrieved 2009-04-29.
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