Bacterial Soft Rot and Blackleg of Potato
Pectobacterium spp.
Potatobacterial
A wet-weather bacterial disease causing mushy tuber rot and blackened stem bases.
Symptoms
Soft, mushy, foul-smelling tuber rot, and a blackened, slimy stem base (blackleg) with wilting foliage.
Favorable conditions
- •Wet, warm conditions
- •Wounded tubers and poor storage ventilation
- •Waterlogged soil
Management
- 1Handle tubers carefully to avoid wounds
- 2Cure and store at proper temperature and humidity
- 3Use certified seed potatoes
- 4Avoid waterlogged planting soil
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