Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of bacterial soft rot?

Bacterial soft rot is primarily a kind of plant disease caused by specific types of bacteria, notably in response to excess moisture and resulting in tissue damage. The traits associated with this disease typically include a foul odor, as the decay process releases volatile compounds, and the saturation of plant tissues, which leads to a mushy consistency. Furthermore, the appearance of drying at leaf tips is often a response to disease progression where water is lost, even though the inner tissues are decaying.

The characteristic that does not align with this disease is the clogging of the vascular system by bacteria. While certain diseases can indeed affect and clog the vascular system, bacterial soft rot is characterized mainly by the breakdown of plant tissue rather than an obstruction of nutrient flow. Instead of clogging the vascular tissues, the disease results in the degradation of these tissues, leading to wilting and decay without necessarily blocking the pathways that would transport water and nutrients. Thus, this option accurately describes an aspect that is not associated with bacterial soft rot.