• On tomatoes, Rhizopus rot appears water-soaked and may exude a clear liquid
• Lesion surface may be covered with thin, cotton-like fungal structures (especially under humid conditions).
• Dark sporulation may crown the white tuft of Rhizopus.
• mycelium can infect adjacent fruit through natural openings or mechanical wounds, creating nests of mold and diseased fruit

Identification of pathogen:

Penetration:

• Wound - cause ripe fruit to rot-Fermentative odour
• Fruit surf. – extramatrical whiskery mycelium, black sporangia
• Range of temp. 5, 15 and 25°C reaching disease incidence of 97-100% RH

Spread:

• Air currents pathogen grows very aggressively even on refrigerated fruit.
• Pallets and cartons, and it may survive for months in fruit residues left in picking containers and field bins.
• The length of the surface wetness period needs to be longer at the lower temperatures for disease development

Management:

• Ensure good drainage facility
• In the greenhouse, maintain a RH of less than 80%, during the night
• Remove decaying plant material from the plant bed
• Avoid bruising during packing and transport

Content validator:
Dr. M. Deivamani, Assistant Professor, Horticulture Research Station, Yercaud-636602.

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