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Bacterial Soft Rot (Erwinia carotovora var. carotovora) affects many cole crops, including Chinese cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and radish. ON cabbage, water-soaked spots are the earliest symptoms on outer leaves. The disease progresses quickly, leaving large areas of wet, necrotic tissue. Inside the head, tissues may liquefy, and a foul odor is often present. On broccoli and cauliflower, localized areas of the head will have a wet appearance at first. These areas become larger as the disease progresses, leaving sunken, necrotic patches. 

Bacterial soft rot on cabbage

(Photo: UK Vegetable IPM Team, University of Kentucky)

Bacterial soft rot on broccoli florets

(Photo: UK Vegetable IPM Team, University of Kentucky)

Management:

• Crop Rotation.
• Irrigation management (minimize leaf wetness and soil splash).
• Plant in well-draining soils.
• Carefully harvest (minimize bruising and wounding).

• Certain varieties of broccoli have head shapes that minimize pooling of moisture and are considered tolerant.

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