The fungus infects stems, petioles and pods of plants nearing maturity. Dark brown or reddish-brown areas may cover the surface of infected stems and pods.
Lower branches die.
Later, infected areas may become covered with the black fruiting bodies of the fungus. Seed in infected pods may be shriveled and moldy or show no external sign of the disease. The fungus is carried over on the seed. Germinating seed may be killed before they produce a seedling. Dark brown sunken cankers develop on the cotyledons of young seedlings.