Nine bacterial isolates obtained from naturally rotted potato tubers collected from different localities of Assiut and EL-Minia Governorates,. proved to be pathogenic and cause soft rot disease to potato tubers. They were identified as Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora.  
      The effects of salicylic acid (SA) and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) at concentrations of 0.0125%, 0.05% and 0.25% significantly reduced soft rot development in wounded entire potato tubers cvs. Diamant, Lady Rosetta, and Argos as compared with control. Such reduction in disease development by tested treatments were significantly decreased with the increasing soaking time. Data also showed that the tested treatments of acetylsalicylic acid proved to be superior than salicylic acid in reduction of soft rot.
Generally, resistance induced in potato tubers by tested chemicals varied upon tested potato cultivars. Potato tuber cv. Lady Rosetta showed the highest reduction in soft rot disease index followed by cv. Diamant and finally cv. Argos.