Bacterial soft rot on carrot
A bacterial root rot (Pectobacterium carotovorum) that develops both in the field and in store. The bacteria enter through damage and break the flesh down into a foul, watery mush.
Symptoms
- Watery, pale brown patches on the root
- A soft, slimy mass under the skin when pressed
- An unpleasant, putrid smell
- The skin of the root collapsing and splitting
- Foliage yellowing and wilting when the crown is affected
What it does to the crop
- Roots destroyed completely in the clamp or cold store
- Rot spreading rapidly to neighbouring roots
- Storage losses running into tens of percent
- No way to save an affected root
What encourages it
- Heavy, waterlogged soils where water stands
- Temperature above 20°C combined with high humidity
- Physical damage during lifting and washing
- Lifting roots wet or frosted
Prevention
- Grow on free-draining soil and avoid standing water
- Lift on a dry day and handle the roots gently
- Dry the roots before putting them into store
- Store at 0-1°C with good ventilation
- Discard damaged roots before storing
⚠️ Before you reach for a spray
This atlas is informational and still growing — different diseases can look almost identical. Confirm the diagnosis and read the product label before applying any plant protection product. If you are unsure, ask your local extension or advisory service.
Keep the disease atlas with you in the garden
In the app you can identify a disease from photos, work out the spray dose for your own bed and log the treatment in your task calendar. Free, no sign-up, works offline.
Open the atlas in the app →