Although pod rot can be caused by a number of soilborne fungi, Pythium myriothylum is considered one of the most common and damaging causes. Pod rot can also be caused by Rhizoctonia solani (cause of Rhizoctonia stem rot), Sclerotium rolfsii (cause of Southern stem rot) and Cylindrocladium crotalariae (cause of Cylindrocladium black rot). Pythium pod rot is most severe when frequent rains occur during pod development. The first symptoms are slight browning and extensive water-soaking of the pods, followed by a watery, brown-black appearance in the final stage of rot. Pegs may also decay, leaving only rotted and blackened remnants of pegs on peanut limbs after plants are inverted at harvest time.