heartrot

noun

: any of several rots involving the central part of a plant or plant organ: such as

a

: disintegration of the heartwood of a tree (as by fungi of the genus Fomes)

b

: a disease of beets and rutabagas caused by a fungus (Mycosphaerella tabifica) that brings about decay of the heart and blighting of the leaves

c

: a rot of sugar beets caused by boron deficiency

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