University of Kentucky

College of Agriculture Plant Pathology Extension

PPFS-AG-T-04

Plant Pathology Fact Sheet

Blackleg of Tobacco
Kenneth W. Seebold
Extension Plant Pathologist

Importance
Blackleg becomes a concern whenever
Kentucky experiences extended periods of
warm, wet, overcast weather in the spring.
This disease, also referred to as bacterial soft
rot, is one of the most serious problems likely
to be encountered on tobacco seedlings.
Blackleg has the potential for destroying
large numbers of plants in a relatively short
period of time. As with other diseases in
the float system, proper management goes
a long way in preventing problems with Figure 1. Early symptoms of Blackleg include soft
rot of lower leaves and leaf material.
blackleg.

Symptoms spread rapidly, causing significant loss of

The bacteria causing blackleg infects leaf
tissue and plant debris. A foul odor can often
be detected even before symptoms are
observed. Infected tissues appear necrotic
and “slimy” (Figure 1). Systemic infections,
which arise when the bacteria move from
debris or wounded tissues into healthy
plants, result in darkening of the stem. This
discoloration of the stem tends to primarily
move up one side of the seedling, hence
the name “blackleg” (Figure 2). Affected
areas of the stem may also show splitting;
in advanced stages, seedlings will collapse.
Under favorable conditions, blackleg will
useable transplants in as few as 1 to 2 days
(Figure 3).
Cause and Disease Development
Warm, humid conditions in the float bed are
the ideal environment for Erwinia carotovora
subsp. carotovora and other soft -rot bacteria
that cause blackleg. These bacteria are
essentially parasites of wounded or stressed
tissue; they are plentiful in soil and on leaf
surfaces. Initially, organic matter in trays
and wounded tissues are colonized by the
blackleg organisms. Because the pathogens
are always present, development of disease

Figure 2. Blackened, water-soaked lesions on the
lower stems of affected plants are typical of the
later stage of Blackleg.
is dependent on a favorable environment and
a source of food (in the form of plant debris
or wounded/stressed tissue). Factors that
may lead to outbreaks of blackleg include:
high nitrogen levels (greater than 150 ppm),
warm temperatures (higher than 75° F), high
humidity, long periods of leaf wetness, and
plant injury (stress and wounding). The latter
occurs routinely during clipping and can lead
to rapid spread of bacterial soft rot if carried
out when plants are wet.
Figure 3. In severe cases of Blackleg, large numbers
of plants can be lost in a matter of a few days.
Disease Management
Cultural practices are the most important
ways to prevent bacterial diseases.
•   Provide adequate ventilation to shorten
the length of time that foliage stays wet
– this may be the most important of all
management practices for reducing the
Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex,
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incidence of blackleg. Most outbreaks we
see in Kentucky are associated with warm
temperatures and excessive moisture on
float plants.
•   Avoid over-fertilizing, a practice referred
to as “pushing” seedlings, as this leads to
dense, lush growth that is more susceptible
to disease and takes longer to dry.
•   Clip plants with a well-sharpened mower
operating at a low blade speed to avoid
excessive injury. Mow plants regularly
so that no more than ½ to 1 inch of leaf is
removed at a time. When more than 1 inch
of leaf is removed during clipping, plants may
be severely injured and more leaf debris and
plant juices are deposited on tray surfaces –
factors that can lead to devastating outbreaks
of blackleg.
•   Clip and handle plants only after they have
been allowed to dry properly. Leaf debris left
behind after clipping can serve as a starting
point for the pathogens that cause blackleg
and should be removed promptly. Along with
maintaining good airflow in the float system,
keeping as much leaf debris out of the beds
as possible is a key to holding blackleg in
check.
Additional Resources
The following University of Kentucky
publications are available at County
Extension offices, as well as on the Internet.
• Fungicide Guide for Burley and Dark
Tobacco, PPFS-AG-T-08
http://www.ca.uky.edu/agcollege/
plantpathology/ext_files/PPFShtml/
ppfsagt8.pdf
• Kentucky-Tennessee Tobacco Production
Guide, ID-160 (1.6 MB file)
http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/id/id160/
id160.pdf
Issued June 2011
Photos by Kenneth Seebold