Seasonal development
and life cycle—White mold
Sclerotia survive in the soil. When they are within the
top 2 to 3 cm of soil they can germinate to form a saucer-shaped
fruiting body called an apothecium. Each apothecium produces
millions of spores that are disseminated by wind. Both infection
and subsequent spread of white mold are determined by temperature
and moisture. White mold is favored by cool, moist conditions.
Spores germinate on and colonize dead or senescent tissue;
senescent flowers are frequently the source of new infections.
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Sclerotia
and mycelium on bean plant
 Fruiting
structures
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