MARKET DISEASES OF VEGETABLES. 21 



Affected stock generally is not marketable, although 

 affected tissues can be trimmed away, leaving the sound 

 remainder salable. 



The rot can be controlled by guarding against sun-scald, 

 freezing injury, and excessive bruising, by drying the sur- 

 faces of vegetables, especially those cut and bruised, and by 

 maintaining dry and cool conditions in transit and storage. 



Ref. Carrot and other vegetables (33) ; cabbage (26) ; 

 lettuce (4), (36); onion (67). 



WATERY SOFT ROT. 



OF ASPARAGUS, BEAN, BEET, CABBAGE, CARROT, CAULIFLOWER, CELERY, 

 LETTUCE, KOHL-RABI, PEPPER, SALSIFY, SHALLOTS, SQUASH, TURNIP, 

 AND RUTABAGA. 



Cause: A fungus (Sclerotinia). 



This disease is a watery soft rot of the affected tissue 

 characterized by a white, cottony, at times matted, mycel- 

 ium; by the presence of hard masses or knots (sclerotia) 

 which are white at first and then become purplish black; 

 and by the absence of any offensive odor. 



The watery disintegration associated with watery soft rot 

 is often so complete that water runs freely from crates, 

 hampers, and even cars containing affected stock. Due to 

 this loss of water, affected stock may shrink to but a small 

 portion of its original volume. 



Affected tissue may seem only slightly discolored and 

 rotted, but upon application of pressure it is noted that the 

 tissue is completely softened and that water escapes with 

 the greatest ease. The slimy feeling noted in connection 

 with the slimy soft rot of succulent tissues is entirely absent. 



The affected plants, the containers, and even the car may 

 be overrun by a heavy growth of loose, cottony or matted 

 mycelium, which under proper conditions forms the sclerotia 

 previously mentioned. The fungus often is responsible for 

 the so-called "nesting" of beans. 



Affected celery tissue often has a pinkish or rose color, 

 especially in the early stages, and consequently the rot is 

 sometimes known as "pink rot" of celery. At times purplish 

 tints are noticeable. Generally, however, the diseased tissue 

 is yellowish or brown. 



In typical field attacks upon lettuce, which are known as 

 lettuce "drop," or upon cabbage, the disease begins on the 

 stalk near the ground, or on the leaves touching the ground, 

 progressing from these to the stalk, which becomes softened 

 and at times entirely destroyed. The result in either case is 

 a collapse of the entire plant. In the field the disease is 

 known as "foot rot" of celery because of the frequent initial 

 attacks at the base of the plant. However, under storage 

 and transit conditions, plants may be attacked at any point. 

 Well headed cabbage or lettuce often remains intact be- 

 cause of the overlapping leaves. Often one finds, however, 

 when an attempt is made to lift an affected head, that it 



