Black Rot of Crucifers

What Is It? | Facts in Depth | For the Professional Diagnostician


Ashlina Chin & Sally A. Miller

Black rot is one of the most destructive diseases of cruciferous plants worldwide.  The causal agent is the bacterial pathogen Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris. The disease affects primarily aboveground parts of plants at any stage of growth and causes high yield and quality losses.  All vegetables in the crucifer family, including broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, kale, mustard, radish, rutabaga, and turnip, are susceptible to black rot; however, symptoms of black rot vary according to age of host, host genus, species, and cultivar and even environmental conditions.  Some of the characteristic symptoms are the v-shaped lesions on the foliage and the discoloration of veins.  To manage this disease, implement sound sanitation practices, limit water splash, and plant clean seeds and transplants.

Scientific Names

  • Xanthomonas campestris campestris

Host Crops

  • Kale
  • Cauliflower
  • Cabbage
  • Broccoli
  • Brussels Sprouts
  • Cruciferous Weeds

Black Rot Cauliflower Bangladesh2014_50Quality Black Rot Cauliflower Bangladesh2014_50Quality2 Cabbage black rot 2_50quality Picture1_50Quality Xanthomonas campestris pv_50Quality Xanthomonas campestris pv_50Quality2
(Bottom Row Images: Courteousy of the American Phytopathological Society)