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Maize stalk showing symptoms of bacterial stalk rot (<i>Pectobacterium chrysanthemi</i> pv. <i>zeae</i>, syn. <i>Erwinia chrysanthemi</i> pv. <i>zeae</i>). Infected plants show a dark color and water soaking at the base of the stalk and lodge, dying shortly after tasseling. The bacterial decomposition produces a characteristic, unpleasant odor. Photo credit: CIMMYT.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cimmyt/4926952009/

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