Description:

• High temperatures and high humidity are favourable for the development of this disease.

Damage Symptoms:

• Cotyledons and new leaves show dark lesions, causing most seedlings to die before or within six weeks post-emergence.
• Characteristic black lesions and streaks appear on the plant stem and bulbs.

Preventive Measures:

• Practice crop rotation.
• Implement inter-field quarantine to prevent the introduction of smut-causing organisms by avoiding the transfer of soil and plant debris.

Control Measures:

• Treat seeds with Thiram or Captan @ 4g/kg.