Symptoms include a yellowing and a sudden wilt of all the leaves. The root system will be black and rotting. The lower portion of the pith of the stem will be blackened and classically the pith area will be divided into disks of tissue. Sometimes only a small portion if the pith will be discolored at the lower extreme of the stem and discing will not be evident. Diseased plants may be randomly distributed in the field or large areas of dying plants may be present.
Black shank is more severe in wetter or poorly drained portions of the field.
Root-knot nematode is the most prevalent tobacco damaging nematode type. These nematodes will cause tobacco plants to be stunted and exhibit symptoms of nutrient deficiencies. Plants with severe damage will wilt during the heat of the day. Knots or galls will develop on the roots and will range from pinhead to golf ball size. Damping off is a problem in tobacco plant beds but can be a problem in the field soon after transplanting.