Bacterial soft rot
A bacterial rot that turns fleshy roots, bulbs, stems and leaves into wet, slimy, foul-smelling mush.
Also known as: Soft rot, Pectobacterium rot
Symptoms and identification
Water-soaked, soft patches appear on fleshy tissue, spread fast and turn into a cream to brown slime with a strong, unpleasant smell. Infected stems collapse and bulbs and tubers rot in the soil or in storage.
Causes
The bacteria live in soil, water and plant debris. They enter through wounds from insects, tools, cold or handling, and thrive in warm, wet, poorly drained conditions or when water stays in the crown or leaf axils of plants.
Organic treatment
Cut out soft tissue with a clean knife and let the wound dry, or remove the whole plant if the rot is widespread. Improve drainage and airflow. Bin infected plant parts.
Prevention
Plant in well-drained soil, avoid wounding plants, and water so that leaf crowns and bulbs do not stay wet. Cure and store crops dry and cool, and clean tools. Control insects that wound plants.
Chemical treatment (use with care)
There is no effective chemical cure. Copper sprays may help prevent spread to healthy plants in some crops, following the label.