xanthomonad
/zænˈθɑməˌnæd/
noun
- A type of bacterium that causes diseases in plants, such as leaf spots and blights.
- The farmer identified a xanthomonad infection in his tomato plants by the yellow spots on the leaves.
- A xanthomonad outbreak can spread quickly through a field, ruining an entire harvest.
- Researchers are developing new ways to control xanthomonad bacteria that damage crops like rice and citrus.