Identification Symptoms

  • Early symptoms are most commonly observed under the plant canopy, on lower leaves, stems, and tendrils, where conditions are more humid.
  • Symptoms first appear as small, purplish-brown and irregular flecks.
  • Under continued humid conditions, the flecks enlarge and coalesce, resulting the lower leaves becoming completely blighted.
  • Severe infections may lead to girdling of the stem near the soil line, which is known as foot rot.
  • Foot rot lesions are purplish-black in colour and may extend above and below the soil line.
  • Foot and stem lesions girdle and weaken the stem, leading to crop lodging and yield loss.
  • Disease lesions develop on pods under prolonged moist conditions or if the crop has lodged.
  • Pod lesions are initially small and dark, but may become extensive and lead to early pod senescence.
  • Severe pod infection may result in small, shrunken or discoloured seed; or alternatively, seed may show no symptoms