Large numbers of antibiotics and other chemicals have been found to reduce soft rot incidence during storage. However, their use cannot be recommended due to human health hazards and also cost factor and moreover these treatments do not eliminate internal soft rot bacteria. Stable bleaching powder or boric acid is found effective to control soft rot. Tuber dip in 3% boric acid for 30 minutes gives good control. Application of 17 kg bleaching powder in soil before planting or with first or last irrigation reduced soft rot in storage by 80%. Dipping the tubers in hot water 50-550 C for 10 minutes is also effective.
Early harvesting of the potato is useful before the mother tuber starts decaying so that contamination is reduced. Under moist conditions the lenticels remain proliferated giving entry to the bacteria. Therefore, harvesting potatoes under moist conditions must be avoided. The storage condition plays an important role leading to rottage. Dry condition of storage or the cold storage helps avoid the disease development. Certified seed potatoes obtained from areas known to be free from the disease may be used for control of black leg. Cut seed pieces need to be treated and suberized well before planting. They can also be treated with streptocycline (100ppm) for 10 minutes. In case of whole tuber planting, tuber may be washed with chlorinated water before planting