What is causing the heads to rot?
During warm, wet weather broccoli is particularly prone to bacterial head rots, a result of infections by the bacteria Erwinia and Pseudomonas. The slimy, soft rot can affect heads in the field and after harvest and is accompanied by a characteristic foul smell. Infection occurs through injuries of plant tissue. In cabbage, sclerotinia head rots caused by the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum are more likely to occur. Cool, wet weather favours this disease. In cauliflower, both sclerotinia and bacterial head rots can be a problem. Alternaria spot caused by the fungus Alternaria brassicicola is also a possibility.
