Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora

Bacterial Disease

Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora

Bacterial Disease

Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora

Bacterial Disease

Bacterial Soft Rot of Tomato

Causal Organism: Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora

Symptoms

• Water-soaked lesions on fruits, leading to fruit collapse.
• Foul odor due to tissue decay, affecting post-harvest storage.
• Bacterial streaming observed under a microscope from infected tissue in water.

Pathogen Survival & Spread

• Long-term survival in soil for many years.
• Transmission methods:
  • Pruning operations (contaminated tools).
  • Splashing of infested soil onto wounded plants.
  • Chewing insects and larvae act as carriers.

Favorable Conditions

• High temperatures (up to 35°C) increase the pathogen’s virulence.

Management

• Proper sanitation—disinfect pruning tools.
• Avoid wounds on plants and fruits.
• Control insects to limit pathogen spread.
• Proper storage conditions to prevent post-harvest losses.