yellow sigatoka

noun

: a leaf spot disease of bananas caused by an ascomycetous fungus (Mycosphaerella musicola) and marked initially by small yellowish-green streaks usually on the upper surface of the leaf

He said most growers were vigilant in controlling yellow sigatoka, but the airborne disease had the potential to “get away” in the wet season.

—Julie Lightfoot, Cairns Post (Australia), 10 Feb. 2010

Word History

First Known Use

1981, in the meaning defined above

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