Rhizopus soft rot

Rhizopus soft rot (Rhizopus stolonifer) is a widely distributed thread-like Mucoralean mold. Commonly found on bread surfaces, it takes food and nutrients from the bread and causes damage to the surface where it lives.

Symptoms
Rhizopus soft rot occurs as large watersoaked areas which become soft and sunken in time. Gray whiskery mould with dusty black spores may grow on the fruit surface and within the seed cavity.

Prevention
Postharvest fungicide applications are effective against Rhizopus soft rot. Avoid injuring fruit during harvesting and handling and maintain proper temperature control during storage and transit.

Similar conditions
Rhizopus soft rot symptoms are often confused with :
 * Choanephora fruit rot. These two fungi are identical to the naked eye but can be easily distinguished by looking at their structure under high magnification.  With some practice, this can also be oberved with a 20X handlens.