The first indication of disease in small plants is a drooping and wilting of lower leaves with a loss of green color followed by wilting and death of the plant. Often leaves on only one side of the stem turn golden yellow at first. The stem of wilted plants shows no soft decay, but when cut lengthwise, the woody part shows a dark brown discoloration of the water-conducting vessels. The fungus is soilborne and passes upward from the roots into the water-conducting system of the stem. Blocking of the water-conducting vessels is the main reason for wilting.
Invasion occurs through wounds in roots growing through infested soil.
Long-distance spread is through seed and transplants. Raising the soil pH to 6.5-7.0 and using nitrate nitrogen rather than ammoniacal nitrogen will retard disease development. No chemical control is available. The fungus Sclerotium rolfsii causes this disease . The first symptom is drooping of leaves suggestive of other wilts.