Home and Landscape

Bacterial Soft Rot of Cole Crops

  • Erwinia sp.

Early symptoms of bacerial soft rot include small water-soaked areas that later expand causing the tissue to become soft and mushy. A strong odor may be apparent.

Solutions

The bacteria that causes bacterial soft rot enters plants through wounds caused by insects or mechanical means. The infection is encouraged by humid or wet conditions. Space plants to allow for good air circulation. Avoid sprinkler irrigation. When using garden tools, be careful to avoid any injury to plants.

Damaged foliage showing soft, mushy, rotted head; . Credit: Jack Kelly Clark, UC IPM
Bacterial soft rot of cauliflower. Credit: Jack Kelly Clark, UC IPM
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