Pink mold rot

Early stages of the disease appear as small, irregularly shaped spots with brown margins and light centers. White fungus threads may develop on the surface of the lesions, and under moist conditions they may also be accompanied by pink masses of spores. A second stage consisting of chocolate-brown, irregularly shaped, sunken lesions up to 2 inches across may develop under favorable conditions. Depressed, lighter colored, circular spots may be scattered over the surface of the rotted areas. The late stage of the rot is less likely to exhibit the white fungus threads and pink spore masses than the first stage. At any stage the rotted areas are rather firm and dry, or at least, not watery, and the affected tissues have a bitter taste.