Crown gall

July 6, 2015

Bacterial diseases

Pathogen

Agrobacterium tumifaciens.

Hosts include

Achillea, Anemone, Artemisia, Aster, Campanula, Coreopsis, Delphinium, Dianthus, Gaillardia, Geranium, Gypsophilia, Helianthus, Heuchera, Lathyrus, Nepeta, Oeno-thera, Penstemon, Phlox, Platycodon, Primula, Rudbeckia, Salvia, Scabiosa, Sedum and Stachys.

large gall on dead stem
A large gall on a dead stem of Achillea.

Symptoms

Galls form on stems and roots, restricting shoot or root growth.

Spread

This bacterium persists in soil; use of infested field soil can spread the disease. Moving infested plants also spreads disease. Cuttings taken from infected plants are likely to become infected.

Management

Plants with galls should be removed and destroyed: they cannot be successfully treated. Infection usually occurs through wounds. Good sanitation is important during vegetative propagation. Effective biological control products are available and can be used to protect especially susceptible plants.

Print a PDF of this page: Crown gall

Back to IPM scouting in herbaceous perennials.

You Might Also Be Interested In

Accessibility Questions:

For questions about accessibility and/or if you need additional accommodations for a specific document, please send an email to ANR Communications & Marketing at anrcommunications@anr.msu.edu.

Tag List
  • integrated pest management

About

Resources

Events

Michigan State University
  • Spartans Will.
  • © Michigan State University

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential.

Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707.

We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).