Bacterial soft rot first appears as rapid desiccation of the youngest leaves. A soft, watery rot of leaf tissue occurs inside the leaf whorl. The rot, which has an unpleasant odor, may kill the growing point of the plant.
Solutions
The disease is most commonly encountered in sprinkler-irrigated gardens or when unseasonal rains occur. The bacteria are probably soilborne and carried into the whorl on soil particles. If soft rot develops, avoid overhead sprinklers.
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