• Plants - show reduced emergence, yellowing and/or browning (necrosis) of leaves beginning at tips
• Reduced bulb size, bulb decay, and brown, poorly developed root systems
• In storage - bulbs show spongy, sunken, yellow brown rotting lesions
• In early stages - infected bulbs are softened, brown and watery when cut open
• White, light pink or reddish fungal growth covering the cloves or in rot cavities
• Deep cracks form in the cloves, followed by break down of the tissue, which will eventually dry down to a portion of its original size, the cloves becoming crinkled and small

Mode of spread and survival:

• Soil borne fungus and can persist for long periods in the soil
• Transmission - infested soil on tools or equipment, infected debris, infected seed, or run-off water
• Pathogen enters the plant through wounded tissue
• Disease develops from the base of the bulb and progresses towards the tips of the cloves
• Favored by higher RH and temperatures(20-30°C)

• Avoid rotations with Allium spp.(e.g. onions and leeks) and cereals
• Store bulbs at cool temperatures and low humidity with good ventilation 
• Avoid storing damaged bulbs