The fungus survives in the soil and in the infected cane. The inoculums move from field to field through wind-borne or irrigation or rain water. Inside the sett it spreads rapidly through the parenchymatous tissues and causes sett rot and also known as pineapple disease.
Symptoms
• Initially, the central portion of affected setts becomes reddish colour which leads to brownish black colour in latter stage.
• By the infection 80% cane seed does not germinate and decay in the field. Poor germination are due to decay or rotting of seed pieces before sprouting of buds.
• It is also called pineapple disease because in infected seed cane emits an odor like that of fresh ripe pineapple.
   

                                                           Sett Rot