Pierce's disease

American  

noun

Plant Pathology.

1. a disease of grapes caused by a rickettsialike organism, characterized by dwarfing of vines, mottling of woody tissues, and plant death.

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Etymology

Origin of Pierce's disease

Named after N. B. Pierce (died 1917), American plant pathologist

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Pierce's disease

California officials first became aware of the threat from glassy-winged sharpshooters in 1999, when a major Pierce’s disease outbreak in the Temecula Valley destroyed more than 300 acres of vineyards, the agency said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026

Glassy-winged sharpshooters can also spread Pierce’s disease, though Pierce’s is caused by a different strain of X. fastidiosa.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 6, 2023

The Temecula Valley in California, for example, experienced a severe outbreak of Pierce's disease in the late 1990s.

From Salon ● Jul. 21, 2021

After 40 years of crossbreeding European grape varieties with wild grapes, a plant geneticist recently patented five hybrid grapes that appear to be resistant to Pierce's disease.

From Salon ● Jul. 21, 2021

At the time, researchers were beginning to think Pierce's disease was caused by bacteria but had yet to pin down a culprit.

From Salon ● Jul. 21, 2021