softrot

Softrot is a term for a form of tissue decay in plant material that results in soft, wet, easily crumbled tissue. In living plants, soft rot is typically caused by pectolytic bacteria that degrade pectin and related polysaccharides; in timber and wood products, soft-rot denotes decay caused by certain fungi and bacteria that degrade cellulose and hemicellulose.

In crops such as potatoes, carrots, and onions, soft rot is mainly attributed to bacteria in the genera Pectobacterium and Dickeya (formerly Erwinia). These pathogens secrete enzymes that macerate tissue, often entering through wounds or natural openings and proliferating under warm, humid conditions; symptoms include water-soaked lesions, collapse of tissue, and a sour odor.

For wood, soft-rot fungi, including several Ascomycota and Basidiomycota species, degrade cellulose and hemicellulose within cell walls, producing soft, spongy wood and internal cavities. Soft-rot can occur in damp environments and tends to progress more slowly than white rot or brown rot, but can compromise structural integrity when moisture is present for extended periods.

Diagnosis is based on symptom observation and laboratory identification of the causal organism. Management in agriculture focuses on sanitation, minimizing wounding, proper storage conditions (cool, dry storage), crop rotation, and using disease-free seed or tubers. In wood products, moisture control, rapid drying of freshly cut timber, ventilation, and avoiding soil contact reduce soft-rot risk.