Stem rot, foot rot, crown rot, blight. Infection commonly commences at about soil level and extends a few cm above and below. Infected plants often wilt and drop their leaves. Under moist conditions fans of white mycelium spread up the stem and over any organic matter on the soil near the stem. Reddish brown sclerotia, 1–2 mm diam. may be seen amongst superficial mycelium on the base of the plant or on plant tissues immediately below soil level.
Morphology
Hyphae may have clamp connections. Sclerotia nearly globose, 0.5–1.5 mm diam., single or in groups, smooth, initially whitish, becoming yellowish white, when dry dark brown or reddish brown and appearing like small seeds of mustard. On agar plates the sclerotia often form at the edge of the plate.
