Overview: Bacillus seed decay is ubiquitous. It causes losses under hot 25° to 35°C, moist conditions in storage, in the field, and in experimental situations. Field losses of nearly 100% have been reported under tropical conditions.
Symptoms: The bacterium causes a soft decay of seeds, which is more severe with increasing moisture and temperature.
Causal Organisms: Bacillus seed decay, caused by Bacillus subtilis, is a soil resident and an epiphyte on soybean leaves and other plant tissues. The bacterium produces rough or smooth, slimy, glistening colonies on potato-dextrose agar and soybean seeds.
Management: Plant good quality seeds.
