Fruit and calyx infection also occurs. The fungus survives in dead leaves attached to the plants. Fungicides should be applied when new growth starts and continued in the spring where the disease is a problem. Fruit infection is prevented by controlling foliar infection. While rot can start on any part of the fruit, it usually starts on the calyx end or the side of fruits touching infected fruits.
Affected fruit becomes light brown.
The fungus can also invade all other plant parts. Survival of the fungus occurs in infected tissue and in small, oval, black sclerotia on the ground or plants. It germinates in the spring when bloom starts and infects bloom parts. From these it moves into the fruit and may rot it immediately, or be dormant until the fruit ripens. The disease is most severe in wet weather.