A plant disease caused by pathogenic bacteria that invade plant tissue through wounds or natural openings, leading to leaf spots, wilting, cankers, or dieback.
Most bacteria in the garden are harmless, but some act as a pathogen and infect plants. These bacteria often enter through pruning cuts, insect damage, weather-related injuries, or natural openings in leaves and stems.
Once inside, they multiply quickly and spread through plant tissue, disrupting the movement of water and nutrients. This can cause wilting, leaf spots, stem lesions, and the decline of entire branches or plants.
Unlike many fungal diseases, bacterial infections cannot usually be cured once they become established. Because of this, prevention and sanitation are the most effective management tools.
A bacterial disease can spread rapidly through a garden, especially during wet weather or when contaminated tools are used on multiple plants. Early detection, proper pruning, good sanitation, and careful watering practices help reduce the risk of infection. Understanding the difference between bacterial disease and fungal disease is important because treatment strategies are very different.