Seedlings either rot and do not germinate or germinate and collapse. The disease frequently attacks the base of the seedling and leaves a shriveled, dried-up stem at the base of the seedling. Control can be achieved by using sterile potting media, clean pots, and fungicide-treated seed. If seeds in a seed tray become symptomatic, discard all of the seeds since asymptomatic seeds may be infected.
Symptoms appear as wilting and a slow or rapid collapse of the plant.
The roots can appear brown and water-soaked instead of white. A water-soaked lesion can often appear at the base of the stem. Control can be achieved by using a two-year rotation with nonsusceptible plants, such as corn, to prevent the buildup of pathogenic organisms. Drop rot, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Drop rot causes the lower leaves to fall off.