Bacterial barn rot, caused by Erwinia carotovora and E. chrysanthemi is an important post harvest disease of flue-cured tobacco. The use of mechanized harvesters and bulk curing coupled with a rainy season and handling of wet leaves can result in large losses from rot. No genetic resistance was found in an evaluation of numerous tobacco cultivars and species. Careful management of tobacco during harvesting and curing can decrease injury to leaves and control the spread of bacterial barn rot. Good practices to follow during harvesting and curing include avoiding injury, handling wet tobacco, overpacking of leaves and raising the during temperature before leaves are dry.