• Attacks the blossoms first and progresses into the developing fruit causing a wet rot at the blossom end
• Fruit rot progresses rapidly and can affect entire fruit within one or two days
• Sporulation by the fungus appears as spines with dark heads on the surface of infected tissues

• Fungus produces both conidia and sporangiophores
• Conidiophores - unbranched and has a spherical head

• Attacks cauliflower, cotton, cucumber, pumpkin, radish and squash
• Survive as a saprophyte - as chlamydospores and zygospores
• Spread - air, beetles and bees

Management :

Crop management practices

• Reduce soil moisture (raised beds)
• Prevent fruit injury
• Prevent soil contact with the soil (plastic mulches or trellising)

Post harvest losses may be reduced by

• Harvesting fruits at proper stage of maturity
• Minimizing cucurbit fruit injuries at harvest
• Pre cooling fruit
• Maintaining relatively low storage temperature