noun
- Plural of phytoplasma; microscopic, cell-wall-free bacteria that parasitize plant cells and are transmitted by insects, causing various plant diseases.
Usage: technical; biology; agriculture
Examples
- Phytoplasmas are responsible for several economically important crop diseases worldwide.
- The leafhopper transmits phytoplasmas to grapevines, causing flavescence dorée.
- Scientists study phytoplasmas to develop resistant plant varieties.
- Phytoplasmas lack a cell wall, distinguishing them from typical bacteria.
- Aster yellows disease is caused by phytoplasmas spread by insect vectors.