Plant Pathology

noun a chemical spray or dust applied to plants to cause their leaves to fall off

• The defoliant sprayed on the crops helped increase the yield by preventing weed growth.
• The defoliant they used on the lawn made it look so much neater.
• I heard they're using some heavy-duty defoliant on that new golf course.
• The defoliant of truth stripped away the layers of deception to reveal the raw reality.

noun a living organism that typically grows in soil and has leaves, stems, and roots

verb to place or sow (seeds) in the ground to grow

• The botanist carefully studied the structure of the new plant species.
• I heard that the plant in the office is fake and just for decoration.
• Let's go check out the new plant shop in town, I heard they have some cool succulents.
• Her kindness was like a nurturing plant, growing and spreading positivity wherever she went.

noun a genus of mites known as eriophyid mites that are plant pests

• The aceria mite is a common pest that can damage crops.
• I heard that aceria mites are causing problems in the garden.
• Those aceria bugs are a real pain in the neck.
• Like aceria mites, negative thoughts can slowly eat away at your happiness.