Large spots are surrounded by a water-soaked margin of active infection and a yellow halo. Strong winds may cause the large areas of infected leaf tissue to tear, giving the plant a tattered appearance. Premature defoliation also occurs on heavily infected plants. Petiole and stem lesions are large and dark. Pod lesions begin as water-soaked spots that enlarge and coalesce becoming dark with age.
Infected seed exhibits a wide range of symptoms.
Seed may appear healthy or be so heavily colonized by the bacterium that slimy growth covers the seed. Symptom development may continue in storage where seed maintains its healthy appearance, becomes shriveled or discolored, or develops lesions that are raised or sunken. Plant Health Management Plant Disease Free Seed Crop Rotation Residue Management. Destruction of residue will help control the disease but may not be an option if conservation tillage is being used by the grower for erosion control and water conservation. Avoid cultivation when foliage is wet.