Southern blight

It attacks roots and stems of cowpeas. The first visible symptom of southern blight is a progressive, yellowing and wilting of the foliage beginning on the lower leaves. The plant dies within a few days after the first symptoms appear. During warm, moist conditions, the coarse, white mycelium of the fungus makes characteristic fan-shaped patterns of growth on the stem at the soil line. In this white mat of the fungus, numerous smooth, round, light-tan to dark-brown mustard seed-like bodies called sclerotia are formed.