heart rot

▪ plant pathology

      widespread disease of trees, root crops, and celery. Most trees are susceptible to heart-rotting fungi that produce a discoloured, lightweight, soft, spongy, stringy, crumbly, or powdery heart decay. Conks or mushrooms often appear at wounds or the trunk base. A dark brown to black, internal rot of beets, carrots, rutabagas, and turnips is caused by a deficiency of boron; a similar rot of celery, fennel, and parsley is induced by calcium deficiency. See also rot.

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