As the disease progresses, lesions take on a blocky, angular shape as the bacterium is not capable of crossing veins found within leaves.

Following systemic infections, veins may become necrotic.

Petiole infections result in severe necrosis, which may progress down the limb or branch resulting in a symptom referred to as Blackarm.

Premature defoliation and fruit abortion are often associated with the aforementioned symptoms. Later in the season, the bacterium may infect developing bolls causing a boll rot.

The appearance of these symptoms differs from foliar symptoms. Such lesions have a circular appearance, as there are no veins within the boll to limit growth of the bacterium.