Blight
/blyt/🦠 Diseases● Basic
Also known as: fire blight, bacterial blight
Blight refers to several plant diseases characterized by sudden, severe leaf browning, wilting, or tissue death. Major blights include fire blight (Erwinia amylovora) on apples and pears, late blight (Phytophthora infestans) on tomatoes and potatoes, and bacterial leaf blight. Blights spread rapidly in warm, humid conditions and can devastate crops or ornamentals within days.
Etymology
Origin uncertain, possibly from Old English blǣce (pallor) or Old Norse blikja (to gleam)
Example
“Fire blight struck the pear orchard in spring, turning blossoms and young shoots black virtually overnight.”