Bacterial soft rot (Erwinia carotovora p.v. carotovora and Erwinia carotovora p.v. atroseptica)

Symptoms

• Bacterial soft rots of carrots occur only when soil conditions are wet or storage conditions are poor.
• Soft water-soaked and irregular lesions appear on the roots.
• Initially these lesions are superficial but soon spread to cover the inner tissues.
• The foliage may remain green until the disease on the tuber advances considerably.
• The entire plant wilts when complete rotting of the tuber takes place.
• Rotted tissues are grey to brown in colour, accompanied by foul odour.
• Abundant moisture on the root surface favours disease incidence.

Management

• Plant carrot in raised beds in poorly drained areas.
• Crop rotation with alfalfa, beans, beets, corn .etc.
• Careful harvesting, handling, grading and sanitation are the only ways to reduce the problem.
• The diseased roots should not be stored along with the healthy tubers.
• The root surface should be kept dry and stored at O^oC with 95 % relative humidity.

Chemical Control

Extremely Toxic

Highly Toxic

Moderately Toxic

Slightly Toxic