What is the primary type of damage caused by soft rot?

Soft rot is primarily caused by certain bacteria that thrive in moist conditions, leading to the decay of plant tissues. The main feature of soft rot is the softening of plant tissues, which occurs as the bacteria break down the plant cell walls, leading to mushy and water-soaked areas. This results in a significant loss of structural integrity in the affected tissues, which can affect not only the aesthetic qualities of the plant but also its overall health and vigor.

While wilting of leaves can occur as a secondary effect due to the loss of moisture and nutrient transport resulting from tissue degradation, it is not the primary damage linked directly to soft rot. Similarly, leaf discoloration may also occur in aging or diseased plants, but it does not directly characterize the primary effect of soft rot. Root decay can be a consequence of other forms of disease or environmental conditions, but soft rot specifically leads to softening rather than a distinct decay process in the roots themselves. Thus, softening of tissue stands out as the definitive characteristic of soft rot damage.