Disease appears 1-2 week after the flowering.  The outside of the lower internode becomes straw coloured.  

The pith becomes badly disintegrated.

The pathogen invades seedling roots.  When plants approach maturity, the internal parts of stems show a black discolouration and shredding of the vascular bundles.

This occurs mainly in lower stalk internodes.  Careful examination of rind and vascular bundles of infected plants reveals small black sclerotia which can overwinter and infect next crop.

Fungus may infect kernels which cause them blacken completely.

Disease is favoured by high soil temperature 30-42o C and low soil moisture.

Avoiding water stress at flowering time to reduce disease incidence,

Apply Trichoderma in furrows after mixing with FYM @ 2.5 kg/ha  FYM/acre (mix 10 days before use in field).