• When diseased setts are planted they may rot before germination, or the shoots may die after reaching a height of about 6-12 inches.
• As the setts get dried up, the reddish colour becomes black with lots of black coloured fungal spores adhering to it.
• If infected shoots survive, they are very much stunted and chlorotic.
• Eventually the leaves may wither and the shoots wilt.
• If the affected shoots and setts are examined the central portion of the shoots will be seen discoloured red and the contents of the sett rotting.
• When split opened, the affected setts exhibit pineapple odour.

• Ceratocytis paradoxa is initially whitish, measuring about 5 mm in diameter and  colonies turn black due to the production of chlamydospores, which are heavily pigmented, when mature.

Management strategies:

Cultural method:

• Healthy setts should be obtained from disease free fields
• Proper drainage and planting of setts in 1-2 cm depth.
• Field sanitation practices combined with chemical pre treatment of the setts are quite effective in controlling the disease
• Avoid deep planting during monsoon season

Chemical Method:

• Dipping the setts in 40 ppm of boron or manganese, or spraying the plants with either of these minor elements reduces the disease intensity.
• sett treatment with fungicide like Bavistin, 0.1 per cent before planting
• Apply carbendazim @ 2gm/lit of water at the root zone area and same as follow at 15 days interval