As the infection matures with time, darker brownish green chlamydospores are produced on the rice spikelets.

The ascospores from these fruiting bodies act as the primary source of infection to spread disease throughout the paddy field.

[8] During the vegetative stage of the growth of the rice crop, the fungus colonizes the tissue on the growing points on the tillers.

Removal of the brown "smut balls" is important to maintain the visual integrity of the harvested crop.

[10] Planting rice earlier in the season can also reduce the amount of disease caused by false smut.

[9] Maintaining the nitrogen rate in the soil to a level below 160 pounds per acre has proven to be most efficient against stopping disease.

[9] Although there are no specific fungicide recommendations for the eradication of the false smut pathogen of rice, Cartwright reported that propiconazole was the most effective ingredient after studying it for over three years.