In the case of vegetables the disease can continue to spread under improper storage conditions and can quickly destroy the stored crop. Disease Cycle White mold persists in the soil as black sclerotial bodies for many years. These sclerotial bodies are directly responsible for infecting subsequent crops grown in the area. Sclerotia on or near the soil surface germinate to form one to several stalks with funnels on the end called apothecia. They produce spores which are forcibly injected into the air and carried by the wind for up to a mile or more.
Initial infection occurs on dead plant tissues such as dead blossoms and becomes established.
The fungus then invades healthy green tissues causing a soft rot. The white mycelial growth is visible within a few days and the black sclerotial bodies are present in 10-14 days thus completing the life cycle of the fungus. About 3 times normal size. Mycelium and sclerotial bodies on a zinnia stem. Black sclerotial bodies on zinnia stem.