The infected stem portion becomes discolored and begins to shrink. The fungi continue to invade the remaining portion of the seedling, resulting in death. This phase of the disease is termed postemergence damping-off. Older established plants also can be attacked by damping-off fungi. Usually the new developing rootlets are infected, resulting in root rot.
Infected plants show symptoms of wilting and poor growth.
Control Proper conditions for seed germination and seedling emergence also favor vigorous growth of fungi that cause damping-off. Seed and roots must be kept moist and warm until the roots have penetrated the soil and the seedlings have emerged. As the seedlings continue to grow, moisture at the soil surface can be decreased, and the damping-off fungi then will have less of an advantage. When watering, thoroughly saturate the soil and then apply no more water until soil approaches the point at which plants wilt. This procedure will keep surface soil dry for a maximum time.