Crown gall, caused by the bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens, damages canes at the root level, causing wilting. Galls are often visible at the soil line …
… or on roots below ground. A. tumefaciens infects canes through wounds.
Similar damage can also be caused by snowy tree crickets.
More information:
- Bacterial Crown Gall of Fruit Crops (Ohio State)
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