How to prevent and control stem soft rot in lilies?

This disease occurs during the storage and transport of lily bulbs.

Symptoms: In the early stage of infection, the affected scales develop water-soaked spots, which later turn dark brown, and the bulb softens and rots. In the late stage, a thick mold layer grows on the surface of the lesions, and within the mold layer many sporangia are produced that are initially white and later turn black.

Pathogen: The pathogens are Rhizopus stolonifer (Ehrenb. ex Fr.) Vuill. and Rhizopus nigricans Ehrenb., belonging to the phylum Zygomycota, class Zygomycetes, order Mucorales, genus Rhizopus.

Disease pattern: The pathogen is widely present in nature. Sporangiospores invade the plant scales through wounds and form mycelium within the plant. The mycelium can extend downward to the base of the scales and from there invade other scales. In warm, humid storage and transport environments with poor ventilation, the disease spreads rapidly, and the bulbs rot quickly. The pathogen has weak parasitism but very strong pathogenicity, and can cause many succulent vegetables, fruits, and storage organs to rot.

Control: Avoid causing wounds during harvesting, packaging, and storage and transport. During storage and transport, low temperatures should be maintained.