This causes the cells to separate, a disease plant pathologists term bacterial soft rot.

Specifically, it causes beet vascular necrosis and blackleg of potato and other vegetables (hence the name carotovora – "carrot-eater"), as well as slime flux on many different tree species.

It is a very economically important pathogen in terms of post-harvest losses, and a common cause of decay in stored fruits and vegetables.

Virulence factors include: pectinases, cellulases, (which degrade plant cell walls), and also proteases, lipases, xylanases, and nucleases (along with the normal virulence factors for pathogens – Fe acquisition, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) integrity[specify], multiple global regulatory systems).

KENGAP, partners of the CABI-led programme, Plantwise have several recommendations for the management of P. carotovora including; washing hands and disinfecting tools regularly during and after harvesting, avoiding harvesting in warm and moist conditions.