• On the fruits, infection occurs around wound sites due to insect bites, physical injuries and excessive wetness. The diseased fruits appear to be covered with luxuriant cottony growth on its surface and it starts to soften considerably.
• On the margin of the cottony growth the skin of the fruit looks dark.green and water soaked. The disease starts appearing as soft dark green water soaked lesions that gradually develop to form watery soft rot.
• In watermelons, the decay usually starts at the blossom end.
• The infected portion decomposes rapidly due to enzymatic degradation.
• The disease is commonly seen on fruits collected from the field or touching the soil.

Pythium aphanidermatum and P. butleri infect the crops during the high moisture condition, whereas, S.rolfsii attacks during the warmer months. Abundance of moisture, high temperature and young tissues of the host are factors determining infection.

Routinely inspect the field. Count 20 fruits at random from the plot and estimate the percentage infection.