Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Diseases
of
Food plants
in
A compendium
Bruce R French
2
DEDICATION
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Many others have assisted me including many village people and farmers who
have shown me around their gardens.
Current address:
Bruce R French
38 West St Burnie
Tasmania 7320
Australia
Contents
If plants are not growing well or look unhealthy/sick there can be a number
of reasons, including growing conditions, insects, pests, nutrients and diseases. It is
important to be able to know or decide which thing is stopping the plant growing.
Here is listed a description of the main reasons, to help you decide why the plants
aren't growing well.
2. Insects. Insects can do damage in several ways. They can suck out the
sap, chew the leaves, eat off young plants, bore into pods or stems, and by these
methods they stop plants growing properly.
3. Other pests. Many of the larger pests like rats, snails and pigs don't often
get confused with diseases. Small insect like animals called mites can make plants
look sick like a disease. A group of very small worms called nematodes can
damage the roots and other parts of plants. They are often too small to see without
a microscope but they can make plants sick.
4. Nutrients (Gris). If a plant runs out of some of the nutrients or food that
it needs to grow it will start to look unhealthy. The leaves, plant, fruit etc may
change shape or colour or look different in some other way. Plants can also get
sick by having too much of some nutrients or getting the wrong mixture of
nutrients.
5. Disease. A small living thing can get into the plant and make it look sick
and stop it growing properly. Often you can't see what this thing is because it is
too small. It is this type of sickness or disease that this book is about.
The small living things that get into plants and cause disease are of 5
different types.
1. Fungi. Fungi mostly grow as small threads and spread between plants
often as small "seeds" called spores. These can blow in the wind. The diseases
they cause are often dry, distinct, spots or marks on leaves, stems and fruit. A
mushroom is an example of a very big fungus. Many plant disease fungi are small
but can sometimes just be seen if you look very carefully. False rust on winged
bean is a fungal disease many people know.
2. Bacteria. These are very small and are often square or round. You can't
5
see them with your eyes, but you can see them if you have a powerful microscope.
Mostly they cause soft squashy rots in plants or cause plants to wilt. They
normally spread between plants in water or soil or in sap of plants through planting
material or when plants rub together.
3. Viruses. These are very, very small. You can't ever see them but they
can take photos of them with a special machine called an electron microscope.
They can only live inside plants and can't blow around in the wind or stay in the
soil. Virus diseases are often spread by plants rubbing together, or through the
planting material. The diseases they cause mostly look like indistinct yellow
colours on leaves, or twisted leaves and other plant parts.
4. Viroids.
5. Mycoplasmas. These are similar to bacteria and like bacteria they can be
controlled with chemicals called antibiotic
The difference in size of disease causing organisms compared to one of the small cells
that make up plants.
(Everything is drawn much larger than it really is.)
6
The signs of a disease
Because of this, village people often do not know much about diseases. Lots
of common diseases don't have names in local languages. People just say the
leaves have gone dry or that the fruit “emi stink nating”. This doesn't mean that
diseases do not occur or that they are not important. It often means that they are
simply overlooked or people stop growing a particular plant. This is because
people do not understand about how disease is caused.
7
When we talk about diseases of plants there are some standard words that
are used. They describe what the disease looks like.
Look under the name of the crop that you are interested in, then see if one of
these standard words describes what you can see wrong with the plant. To be sure
of the disease you would need to get it checked by a specialist but with some
practice you can learn to recognise some of the more common diseases. When a
specialist talks about one of these diseases, the information in this book will help
summarise some of the basic information about it.
8
Diseases that affect many different plants
Some similar types of disease can occur on a number of plants, so they will
be described as a group.
1. Sooty moulds. Many trees and other plants get a black sooty layer all
over the surface of the leaves. This can occur on many trees such as fig, marita,
karuka, citrus, mango, laulau and on lots of other plants. It is caused by a group of
fungi called sooty moulds. Actually the fungi aren't growing in the leaves but are
growing on the rubbish left behind by small insects that were on the leaves. You
can easily check this by wetting your finger and then rubbing the fungus off the
leaf. So these fungi aren't really damaging the leaves except by blocking out the
sunlight. You can stop the disease by spraying the insect.
2. Root knot nematodes. Many plants look sick and when you pull them
up it looks as if someone has tied the roots in knots. The roots have twists and
lumps along them. (With beans be careful not to mix up damaged roots due to bad
nematodes and the important root nodules due to useful bacteria.) The damage is
due to small worms called nematodes burrowing into the roots. Not all plants get
damaged equally badly but most plants get some damage. See page 255.
Some of the traditional Papua New Guinea vegetables have not been looked
at carefully.
Often when a new garden is cleared the number of nematodes in the soil is
much less. So crop plants are often less damaged the first time they are planted in
a garden site. This means plants that get easily damaged need to be put first in a
rotation in a new garden site.
Other kinds of nematodes as well as root knot nematodes occur, but many of
these have not yet been well studied.
9
Root knot
nematode
damage to
lettuce
roots
Plant
Symptom Cause Scientific name Page
Aibika
Aibika leaf spot Fungus Myrothecium roridum 36
Leaf blight Fungus Colletotrichum sp. 261
Leaf spot Fungus Phyllosticta sp.
Powdery mildew Fungus Oidium sp 38
Collar rot/root rot Fungus Phytophthora nicotianae var. nicotianae 39
and Fusarium sp.
and Sclerotium rolfsii 264
With root rot Nematode Aphelenchus avenae
Basal stem rot Fungus Sarcopodium vanillae
Green mottle Virus 37
Amaranth
Leaf spot Fungus Alternaria sp.
Leaf blight Fungus Colletotrichum sp. 261
Wilt Fungus Fusarium sp.
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita 271
and Meloidogyne hapla 271
Apple
Angular leaf spot Fungus Phoma pomorum
Fruit rot Fungus Gloeosporium sp. 261
Botriodiplodia theobromae
Pink disease Fungus Phanerochaete salmonicolor 260
Avocado
Bark canker Fungus Phytophthora cinnamomi 40
Root rot Fungi Phellinus noxius
and Rigidoporus microporus
and Fusarium solani
Leaf spot Fungus Corynespora sp.
Leaf spot Fungus Phyllosticta sp.
Pink disease Fungus Phanerochaete salmonicolor 260
Seedling wilt Fungus Phytophthora nicotianae var. nicotianae
Stem canker & dieback Fungus Phytophthora sp.
Algal spot (red rust) Alga Cephaleuros virescens 274
Bamboo
Leaf spot Fungus Phaeoisariopsis bambusae
Leaf spot Fungus Plectronidium minor
Banana
Armillaria corm rot Fungus Armillaria mellea 43
Leaf spot Fungus Cladosporium musae 55
Anthracnose of fruit Fungus Colletotrichum musae 42
Diamond leaf spot Fungus Cordana musae 51
Black spot Fungus Deightoniella torulosa 49
Malayan leaf spot Fungus Haplobasidium musae 56
Leaf spot Fungus Phyllosticta sp.
Leaf spot Fungus Microphoma sp.
Black leaf streak Fungus Mycosphaerella fijiensis 47
Sigatoka leaf spot Fungus Mycosphaerella musicola 48
Black cross Fungus Phyllachora musicola 45
Freckle Fungus Guignardia musae 52
Speckle Fungus Ramichloridium musae 54
Banana rust Fungus Uredo musae 46
Leaf spot Fungus Veronaea musae
Root rot Fungi Pythium splendens
and Pythium vexans etc
Stem end rot fruit Fungus Botryodiplodia theobromae 265
Crown rot fruit Fungus Verticillium theobromae
Bacterial corm rot Bacterium Erwinia chrysanthemi 44
Stalk rot Bacteria Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora 262
Algal leaf spot Alga Cephaleuros virescens 274
Infectious chlorosis Virus Cucumber mosaic virus 53
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita 271
Burrowing nematode Nematode Radopholus similis 50
Nematode Nematode Helicotylenchus multicinctus
Pratylenchus sp.
Rotylenchus sp.
Banana passionfruit
Fruit spots Fungus Colletotrichum sp. 261
Bean-common
Leaf spot Fungus Alternaria tenuis
Leaf spot Fungus Ascochyta phaseolarum 62
Grey mould Fungus Botryotinia fuckeliana 73
Anthracnose Fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum 61
Angular leaf spot Fungus Phaeoisariopsis griseola 60
Collar rots Fungi Athelia rolfsii 262
Leaf blight Fungus Thanatephorus cucumeris 66
Leaf spots Fungi Cercospora canescens 65
(on old leaves) and Cladosporium oxysporum
and Corynespora casiicola
and Periconia byssoides
and Phyllosticta sp.
Floury white mould Fungus Mycovellosiella phaseoli 71
12
Rust Fungus Uromyces appendiculatus 64
Mosaic Virus Bean common mosaic virus? 68
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne arenaria 271
and Meloidogyne incognita 271
Bacterial blight Bacteria Xanthomonas campestris pv. phaseoli
On seeds Fungus Aspergillus sp.
Betel nut
Black leaf mould Fungus Acroconidiellina arecae
Leaf spot Fungus Guignardia calami
and Glomerella cingulata 82
and Graphium sp.
Bitter cucumber
Leaf spot Fungus Aschochyta sp.
Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora citrullina 161
Powdery mildew Fungus Oidium sp 164
Downy mildew Fungus Pseudoperonospora cubensis 160
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita 271
and Meloidogyne javanica 271
Blackberried nightshade
Bacterial wilt Bacterium Pseudomonas solanacearum 263
Bottle gourd
Powdery mildew Fungus 164
Anthracnose Fungus Colletotrichum orbiculare 261
Breadfruit
Leaf spot Fungus Pseudocercospora artocarpi 84
Rust Fungus Uredo artocarpi 85
Broad bean
Leaf spot Fungus Ascochyta sp.
Leaf spot Fungus Cladosporium sp.
Sooty mould Fungus Epicoccum sp.
Leaf blight Fungus Fusarium sp.
Leaf spot Fungus Phoma sp.
Rust Fungus Uromyces viciae-fabae 79
Broccoli
Grey leaf spot Fungus Alternaria brassicae 91
and Botrytis sp.
Black leaf spot Fungus Alternaria brassicicola 88
Ring spot Fungus Mycosphaerella brassicicola 92
Downy mildew Fungus Peronospora parasitica 90
Collar rot Fungus Thanatephorus cucumeris 266
Damping off Fungus Rhizopus sp.
Black rot Bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris 89
13
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne sp. 271
Brussels sprouts
Black leaf spot Fungus Alternaria brassicicola 88
Black rot Bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris 89
Cabbage
Black leaf spot Fungus Alternaria brassicicola 88
Leaf spot Fungus Colletotrichum sp. 261
and Phomopsis sp.
Ring spot Fungus Mycosphaerella brassicicola 92
Downy mildew Fungus Peronospora parasitica 90
Black rot Bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris 89
Soft rot Bacterium Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora 87
Collar rot Fungus Thanatephorus cucumeris 266
Damping off Fungus Pythium sp. 265
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita 271
Candle nut
Leaf spot
Cape gooseberry
Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora physalidis
Capsicum
Leaf spot Fungus Alternaria sp. 233
Collar rot Fungus Athelia rolfsii 262
Fruit rot (Anthracnose) Fungus Glomerella cingulata 225
Fruit rot Fungus Curvularia sp.
Leaf mould Fungus Cercospora diffusa
and Cladosporium sp.
Leaf blotch Fungus Thanatephorus cucumeris 266
Wilt Fungus Fusarium solani
Root rot Fungus Pythium sp. 266
and Fusarium sp.
Bacterial wilt Bacterium Pseudomonas solanacearum 226
Storage rot Bacterium Erwinia carotovora 263
Bacterial leaf spot Bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria
Leaf distortion Virus Possibly potato virus y
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita 271
14
Carambola (See Five corner)
Cardamom
Leaf spot Fungus Phyllosticta sp.
Leaf spot Fungus Phoma sp.
Carrot
Leaf spot Fungus Alternaria dauci 245
Tuber rot Fungus Athelia rolfsii
Leaf blight Fungus Thanatephorus cucumeris 266
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne javanica 271
Cashew
Algal spot Alga Cephaleuros virescens 274
Twig dieback Fungus Glomerella cingulata 261
Cassava
Brown leaf spot Fungus Cercosporidium henningsii 94
Leaf spot Fungus Periconia manihiticola
Leaf spot Fungus Phyllosticta sp.
Blight leaf spot or tip Fungus Colletotrichum capsici
die back
and Glomerella cingulata 95
Pink disease Fungus Phanerochaete salmonicolor 260
Stem rot Fungus Septobasidium sp.
Associated with root rot Fungus Dictyosporium toriloides
Root rot and collar rot Fungus Fusarium sp.
Root rot Fungus Helicobasidium purpureum
and Proboscispora manihotis
and Rigidoporus lignosus
Storage rots
Castanopsis chestnuts
Leaf spot Fungus Aporhytisma urticae
Slimy brown mould
Cauliflower
Black leaf spot Fungus Alternaria brassicicola 88
Leaf spot/Ring spot Fungus Mycosphaerella brassicicola 92
Black rot Bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris 89
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne sp. 271
Celery
Septoria leaf spot Fungus Septoria apiicola 246
Root knot nematode Nematode Meloidogyne sp. 271
15
Chickory
Leaf spot Fungus Alternaria cichorii
Chilli
Fruit rot Fungus Glomerella cingulata 225
Leaf & fruit blotch Fungus Thanatephorus cucumeris 266
Leaf mould Fungus Cladosporium sp.
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita 271
Chinese cabbage
Black leaf spot Fungus Alternaria brassicicola 88
Grey leaf spot Fungus Alternaria brassicae 91
Black leaf spot Fungus Mycosphaerella brassicicola 92
Leaf spot Fungus Septoria sp.
Wet rot Fungus Choanephora cucurbitarum 267
Downy mildew Fungus Peronospora parasitica 90
Leaf wilt (Soft rot) Bacterium Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora 262
Black rot Bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris 89
Seedling wilt Fungus Fusarium oxysporum
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne sp. 271
Chinese laurel
Rust Fungus Crossopsora antidesmae-dioicae
Chinese taro
Root rot Fungi Phytophthora citricola 220
Phytophthora nicotianae
Pythium arrhenomanes
Pythium vexans
and Rhizoctonia solani
Nematode Aphelenchoides sp.
Nematode Bursaphalenchus sp.
Leaf spot Fungus Glomerella cingulata 261
Leaf spot Fungus Phyllosticta sp.
Leaf spot Fungus Macrophoma sp.
Leaf wrinkle Virus Bobone 214
Leaf speckle Virus Dasheen mosaic 219
Chives
Purple blotch Fungus Alternaria porri 122
Leaf blotch Fungus Aschochyta sp.
16
Choko
Leaf spot Fungus Ascochyta sp.
Leaf blotch Fungus Phyllosticta sp.
Soft rot Bacterium Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora 262
Leaf spot Possibly virus
Citron
Scab Fungus Sphaceloma fawcettii var. scabiosa 103
Algal spot Alga Cephaleuros virescens 97
Clymenia citrus
Scab Fungus Sphaceloma fawcettii 103
Coastal pitpit
Leaf spot Fungus Beniowskia spaeroides
Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora longipes 179
Leaf blight Fungus Colletotrichum falcatum
Leaf spot Fungus Cytoplea sp.
Leaf spot Fungus Diplodia sp.
Veneer blotch Fungus Deightoniella papuana 196
Leaf spot Fungus Drechslera sacchari 191
Pokkah boeng Fungus Gibberella fujikuroi 188
Red rot Fungus Glomerella tucumanensis 191
Leaf spot Fungus Leptosphaeria sacchari 186
Yellow spot Fungus Mycovellosiella koepkei 197
Tar spot Fungus Phyllachora sacchari 195
Downy mildew Fungus Peronosclerospora sp. 181
Rust Fungus Puccinia kuehnii 186
Leaf stripe Fungus Ramulispora sacchari
Fiji disease Virus 183
Mosaic Virus 194
Coconut
Sooty mould Fungi Capnodium sp 270
Chaetothyrium sp. 270
Meliola sp 270
Stem bleeding Fungus Ceratocystis paradoxa 110
Black leaf mould Fungi Clasterosporium cocoicola
and Sporidesmium macrurum
White thread blight Fungus Corticium penicillatum
Leaf spots Fungi Bipolaris incurvata 108
and Pestalotiopsis palmarum 109
Pseudoepicoccum cocos
Petiole disease Fungus Anthostomella fusispora
Root rot Fungus Ganoderma lucidum 105
and Rigidoporus microporus
Brown root rot Fungus Phellinus noxius 106
Bud rot Fungus Phytophthora palmivora 107
17
Comfrey
Leaf blotch
Coriander
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne sp.
Corn
Leaf spot Fungus Bipolaris zeae 116
Leaf spot Fungus Curvularia lunata
Leopard leaf spot Fungus Cladosporium sp.
Tropical rust Fungus Puccinia polysora 120
Rust Fungus Puccinia sorghi 112
Downy mildew Fungus Peronosclerospora sacchari 115
and Peronosclerospora sorghi 115
Leaf spot Fungus Phoma sorghina 118
Leaf blotch Fungus Setosphaerica turcica 114
Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora sorghi 117
Leaf blight Fungus Cochliobolus heterostrophus 116
Blister smut Fungus Ustilago zeae 113
Head smut Fungus Sphacelotheca reiliana 119
Irregular bleached areas Fungus Thanatephorus cucumeris 266
Collar rot Fungus Pythium butleri 265
Cucumber
Leaf spot Fungus Alternaria alternata
Leaf blight Fungus Aschochyta phaseolorum
Leaf scorch Fungus Cladosporium sp associated
Leaf spot Fungus Corynespora cassiicola
With fruit rot Fungus Choanephora cucurbitarum 267
Gummy stem blight Fungus Mycosphaerella melonis
Powdery mildew Fungus Oidium sp. 164
Downy mildew Fungus Pseudoperonospora cubensis 160
Leaf spot Fungus Phyllosticta sp.
Damping off Fungi Pythium butleri 265
and Pythium deliense
Fruit rot Bacterium Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora 262
18
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita 271
Storage rot Fungus Colletotrichum sp. 261
and Fusarium sp.
and Phoma exigua
and Pythium sp. 265
Durian
Root rot Fungus Pythium sp. 265
Eggplant
Leaf spot Fungus Colletotrichum sp. 225
Leaf spot Fungus Phyllosticta sp.
Collar & stem rot Fungus Pythium butleri 265
Bacterial wilt Bacterium Pseudomonas solanacearum 226
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne sp. 271
Root rot Fungus Fusarium oxysporum
Storage rot Fungus Alternaria sp.
and Botrydiplodia theobromae 265
and Curvularia lunata
Endive
Leaf spot Fungus Alternaria cichorii
Finschia nuts
Black mould Fungus Chaetothyrium fusisporum
Black leaf mould Fungus Verrucispora proteacearum
Rust Fungus Puccinia finschiae
Five corner
Fruit rot Fungus Glomerella cingulata 261
Leaf spot
Garlic
Purple blotch Fungus Alternaria porri 122
Giant taro
Leaf spot Fungus Mycosphaerella alocasiae
Rust Fungus Uredo alocasiae
Collar rot Fungus Athelia rolfsii 262
Yellow spot Alga Phyllosiphon sp.
Ginger
Leaf spot Fungus Pyricularia zingiberi
Leaf spot Fungus Phaeodactylium alpiniae
Leaf blotch Fungi Curvularia sp.
and Phoma sp.
and Glomerella cingulata
& Bacterium Corynebacterium sp (not confirmed)
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita 271
and Meloidogyne javanica 271
Granadilla
Stem death Fungus Glomerella cingulata 261
Chlorotic spot Virus Chlorotic spot virus 130
Grapefruit
Leaf spot Fungus Glomerella cingulata 261
Algal leaf spot Alga Cephaleuros virescens 97
Leaf spot Fungus Glomerella cingulata 261
Bacterial canker Bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. citri 98
Unthrifty plants Nematode Tylenchulus semipenetrans 101
Grapes
Downy mildew Fungus Plasmopara viticola 249
Powdery mildew Fungus Uncinula necator 250
Leaf spot Fungus
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne arenaria 271
Greater yam
Anthracnose Fungus Glomerella cingulata 237
Leaf spot Fungus Phyllosticta dioscoreae 238
Rust Fungi Goplana dioscoreae 240
and Goplana australis 240
and Uredo dioscoreae-sativae 239
Silvering Fungus Botriodiplodia theobromae 241
Mosaic Possibly virus
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne sp 271
20
Guava
Fruit rot Fungus Botrydiplodia theobromae 265
Fruit canker Fungus Pestalotiopsis psidii
Fruit rot Fungus Athelia rolfsii 262
Algal spot (red rust) Alga Cephaleuros virescens 274
Highland kapiak
Sooty mould Fungus Chaetothyrium boedijnii 270
Highlands pitpit
Tar spot Fungus Phyllachora minutissima 201
Rust Fungi Uredo palmifoliae 200
and Uromyces setariae-italicae 200
Leaf spot Fungus Bipolaris panici-miliacei 199
Jackbean
Leaves distorted Possibly virus
Jackfruit
Pink Disease Fungus Phanerochaete salmonicolor 260
Leaf spot Fungus Colletotrichum sp. 261
Japanese cherry
Root rot Fungus Phellinus noxius
Pink disease Fungus Phanerochaete salmonicolor 260
Java almond
Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora catappae
Sooty mould Fungus Lembosia terminaliae 270
Jerusalem artichoke
Collar rot Fungus Athelia rolfsii 262
21
Job's tears
Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora sp.
Tar spot Fungi Phyllachora coicis
and Phyllachora graminis
Rust Fungus Puccinia operta
Leaf galls Possibly
virus
Mosaic Virus
Kangkong
Leaf spot
Karuka
Black leaf mould Fungus Lembosia pandani 127
Sooty mould Fungus Meliola juttingii 270
Large leaf spot
Leaf spot
Yellow spot mosaic Probably virus
On seeds Fungus Macrophoma pandani
On rotting flowers Fungus Rhizopus stolonifer
Kudzu
Yellow mould Fungus Mycovellosiella puerariae
False rust Fungus Synchytrium minutum 69
Leaf spot
Lablab bean
Leaf spot Fungus Ascochyta dolichi
Angular leaf spot Fungus Cercospora canescens 65
Tip wilt Fungus Choanephora cucurbitarum 267
Leaf blight Fungus Phyllosticta sp.
Leaf blight Fungus Thanatephorus cucumeris 66
Small twisted leaves Probably virus
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne arenaria 271
Leek
Leaf blight Fungus Alternaria porri 122
Leaf rot Fungi Fusarium sp.
and Pythium sp.
Lemon
Leaf spots Fungi Ascochyta citri
and Glomerella cingulata 261
Scab Fungus Sphaceloma fawcettii 103
Pink disease Fungus Phanerochaete salmonicolor 260
Green mould Fungus Penicillium digitatum
Damping off Fungus Rhizoctonia solani 266
Bacterial canker Bacteria Xanthomonas campestris pv. citri 98
22
Lemon grass
Tar spot Fungus Phyllachora sp.
Rust Fungus Puccinia nakanishikii
Lesser yam
Leaf spot Fungus Cylindrosporium dioscoreae
Leaf spot Fungus Guignardia dioscoreae 238
Dark brown leaf blotch Bacteria Xanthomonas sp. (Unconfirmed)
Mosaic Possibly virus
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita 271
Lettuce
Collar rot Fungus Athelia rolfsii 251
Leaf spot Fungus Septoria lactucae 252
Leaf spot Fungus Alternaria sp.
Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora brassicicola
and Cercospora longissima
Leaf spot Fungus Phyllosticta sp.
Collar rot Fungus Athelia rolfsii
Soft rot Bacterium Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora 262
Mosaic Possibly virus
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne hapla 271
and Meloidogyne incognita 271
Lima bean
Floury white mould Fungus Mycovellosiella phaseoli 71
Rust Fungus Phakopsora vignae
Concentric spots Fungus Phoma exigua 62
Leaf spot Fungus Phyllosticta sp.
Root knot Fungus Meloidogyne incognita 271
Lime
Sooty mould Fungus Meliola citricola 270
Pink disease Fungus Phanerochaete salmonicolor 260
Collar & root rot Fungus Phellinus noxius
Green mould Fungus Penicillium digitatum
Bacterial canker Bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. citri 98
Loquat
Brown rot fruit Fungus Penicillium sp.
Pink disease Fungus Phanerochaete salmonicolor 260
Lovi-lovi
Algal leaf spot Alga Cephaleuros virescens 274
Leaf spot
Macadamia
Leaf spot Fungus Pestalotiopsis sp.
Root rot Fungus Armillaria mellea
23
Mandarin
Sooty mould Fungus Meliola citricola 270
Scab Fungus Sphaceloma fawcettii 103
Pink crust on stems Fungus Podonectria sp
Pink disease Fungus Phanerochaete salmonicolor 260
Mango
Sooty mould Fungi Asterina sp 270
and Meliola mangiferae 270
Pink disease Fungus Phanerochaete salmonicolor 260
Dead leaf edges Fungus Pestaliopsis sp. Associated
Anthracnose/Dieback Fungus Glomerella cingulata 253
and possibly Stigmina mangiferae
Mangosteen
Leaf spot
Marita
Leaf spot
Fruit rot Bacterium Erwinia carotovora sub sp. carotovora 126
Black leaf mould Fungus Lembosia pandani 127
Leaf mould Fungus Leptosphaeria sp.
Melon (Rockmelon)
Black rot Fungus Mycosphaerella melonis
Leaf blight Fungus Aschochyta sp.
Powdery mildew Fungus Oidium sp. 164
Downy mildew Fungus Pseudoperonospora cubensis 160
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita 271
Mint
Collar rot & wilt Fungus Marasmiellus epochnous
Wilt Fungus Thanatephorus cucumeris 266
Rust
Leaf spot Fungus Alternaria sp.
Mulberry
Leaf spot Fungus Phyllosticta sp.
Mung bean
Leaf spot Fungus Alternaria sp.
Leaf spot Fungus Phoma exigua 62
Leaf spot Fungus Phyllosticta sp.
Leaf spot Fungus Myrothecium roridum
Collar rot Fungus Athelia rolfsii 262
Mosaic Virus
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita 271
24
Mustard
Leaf spot Fungus Alternaria sp.
Naranjilla
Collar rot Fungus Athelia rolfsii 264
Okra
Distorted leaves Possibly virus
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita 271
Onion (bulb)
Leaf tip withering Fungus Alternaria porri 122
Smudge Fungus Colletotrichum circinans 124
Soft rot Bacterium Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora 262
and Pseudomonas cepacia
Downy mildew Fungus Peronospora destructor
Root rot Fungus Fusarium spp.
Black mould Fungus Aspergillus niger
Onion (bunching)
Purple blotch Fungus Alternaria porri 122
Leaf blotch Fungus Aschochyta sp.
Downy mildew Fungus Peronospora destructor
Root rot Fungus Fusarium spp.
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita 271
Orange
Scab Fungus Sphaceloma fawcettii 103
Pink disease Fungus Phanerochaete salmonicolor 260
Leaf spot Fungus Phyllosticta sp.
Leaf spot Fungus Gloeosporium sp.
Unthriftiness Nematode Tylenchulus semipenetrans 101
Sooty mould Fungus Meliola citricola 270
Parsley
Leaf spot Fungus Septoria sp.
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita 271
and Meloidogyne javanica 271
Parsnip
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita 271
and Meloidogyne javanica 271
25
Passionfruit
Brown leaf spot Fungus Alternaria passiflorae 129
Seedling wilt Fungus Phytophthora nicotianae 131
Leaf spot Fungus Colletotrichum sp.
and Phoma sp.
Blight of flowers Fungus Aspergillus sp.
Fruit rot Fungus Fusarium sp.
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne javanica 271
Pawpaw
Butt rot Fungus Athelia rolfsii 262
Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora papayae
Shot hole leaf spot Fungus Corynespora cassiicola 137
Anthracnose Fungus Glomerella cingulata 261
Powdery mildew Fungus Oidium caricae 135
Leaf spot Fungus Phyllosticta sp.
and Phoma sp.
Root rot Fungus Phytophthora palmivora 136
Leaf spot & fruit rot Fungus Mycosphaerella caricae 133
Fruit rot/Leaf mould Fungus Botrydiplodia theobromae 265
Fruit rot Fungus Fusarium oxysporum
Stem rot Bacterium Pseudomonas cepacia
Mosaic Virus 134
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita 271
and Meloidogyne javanica 271
Pea
Leaf spot Fungus Mycosphaerella pinodes 74
Brown mould Fungus Fulvia fulvum
Powdery mildew Fungus Oidium sp. 269
Leaf spot Fungus Phyllosticta sp.
and Macrophoma sp.
Mosaic Possibly virus
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita 271
Dry rot seeds Fungus Penicillium sp.
Peach
Peach leaf curl Fungus Taphrina deformans 254
Rust Fungus Tranzschelia pruni-spinosae 255
Peanut
Seedling death Fungus Aspergillus niger 142
Collar rot Fungus Athelia rolfsii 140
and Botryodiplodia theobromae 265
Large leaf spot Fungus Leptosphaerulina trifolii 145
Leaf spot Fungus Colletotrichum sp.
Leaf spot Fungi Mycosphaerella arachidis 141
and Mycosphaerella berkeleyi 141
Collar rot Fungus Phomopsis sp.
Rust Fungus Puccinia arachidis 144
Root rot Fungus Pythium sp.
26
and Rhizoctonia
Blackening stems Fungus Thanatephorus cucumeris 266
Bacterial wilt Bacterium Pseudomonas solanacearum 139
Mosaic Virus
Leaf mottle Virus Marginal leaf chlorosis virus 142
Mild mottle Virus Cowpea mild mottle virus 143
Pepper
Leaf spot Fungus Glomerella sp. 261
Horse hair blight Fungus Marasmius crinisequi
Pink disease Fungus Phanerochaete salmonicolor 260
Root rot Fungus Phellinus noxius
Dead patches Fungus Thanatephorus cucumeris 260
Algal spot Alga Cephaleuros virescens 274
Pigeon pea
Leaf spot Fungus Mycovellosiella cajani 75
Pink disease Fungus Phanerochaete salmonicolor 260
On seeds Fungus Aspergillus niger
and Chaetomium sp.
and Curvularia lunata
and Fusarium solani
and Penicillium sp.
and Nigrospora oryzae
Pineapple
Water blister Fungus Cerotocystis paradoxa 256
Leaf blotch Fungi Cochliobolus lunatus
and Stachylidium bicolour
and Trichobotrys pannosa
Leaf spot Fungus Asterina sp.
and Nigrospora sp.
Wilt outside leaves Fungus Pythium vexans
Polynesian arrowroot
Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora taccae
Pomelo
Collar rot Fungus Athelia rolfsii 262
27
Potato
Target spot Fungus Alternaria solani 156
Collar rot & wilt Fungus Athelia rolfsii 264
Dry rot & wilt Fungus Fusarium oxysporum 150
Storage rot Fungus Fusarium solani
Leaf spot Fungus Leptosphaerulina trifolii
Leaf spot Fungus Phyllosticta sp.
Late blight Fungus Phytophthora infestans 151
Collar rot Fungus Sclerotium rolfsii
Powdery scab Fungus Spongospora subterranea 155
Common scab Fungus Streptomyces scabies 149
Black scurf Fungus Thanatephorus cucumeris 266
Verticillium wilt Fungus Verticillium albo-atrum 157
Black leg Bacterium Erwinia carotovora subsp. atroseptica
Soft rot Bacterium Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora 262
Bacterial wilt Bacterium Erwinia chrysanthemi 262
Bacterial wilt Bacterium Pseudomonas solanacearum 148
Leaf roll Virus Leaf roll virus 152
Interveinal mottling Virus Potato virus x (Unconfirmed) 153
Mosaic & dying leaves Virus Potato virus y (Unconfirmed) 154
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne javanica 271
Potato yam
Brown mould Fungus Pseudocercospora ubi 242
Rust Fungus Uredo dioscorae-sativae 239
Pumpkin
Storage rot Fungus Colletotrichum orbiculare 162
Sooty mould Fungus Epicoccum sp.
Powdery mildew Fungus Erysiphe cichoracearum 164
Stem rot Fungus Fusarium solani
Downy mildew Fungus Pseudoperonospora cubensis 160
With storage rot Fungus Rhizoctonia sp. 266
Mosaic Virus Melon mosaic virus 163
Radish
Leaf spot Fungus Alternaria raphani
Damping-off Fungus Pythium sp.
Rambutan
Leaf spot Fungus Colletotrichum sp.
Heart rot Fungus Phellinus sp.
Root rot Fungus Fusarium oxysporum
and Athelia rolfsii 262
Raspberry (Red)
Rust Fungus Hamaspora acutissima
28
Rice
Rot at base of plant Fungus Athelia rolfsii 262
Narrow brown leafspot Fungus Cercospora oryzae 173
Leaf spot & on grains Fungi Cochliobolus cynodontis
(As Brown spot) and Cochliobolus geniculatus
and Cochliobolus hawaiiensis
and Cochliobolus miyabeanus 167
Leaf smut Fungus Entyloma oryzae 171
Seedling blight Fungus Fusarium lateritium
Foot rot Fungus Gibberella fujikuroi 169
Brown sheath rot Fungus Gaeumannomyces graminis 166
Stem rot rice Fungus Magnaporthe salvinii 176
Leaf blotch Fungus Metasphaeria oryzae-sativae
White leaf streak Fungus Mycovellosiella oryzae 177
Glume blotch Fungus Phaeoseptoria oryzae 170
Sheath blight Fungus Thanatephorus sasakii 175
Leaf spot Fungus Trichoconiella padwickii 172
False smut Fungus Ustilaginoidea virens 168
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne sp. 271
(Also several fungi isolated off stored rice grain.)
Rice bean
Blossom blight Fungus Choanephora cucurbitarum 267
False rust Fungus Synchytrium phaseoli 69
Rust Fungus Uromyces sp. 64
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne arenaria 271
and Meloidogyne javanica 271
On seeds Fungus Aspergillus niger
and Penicillium sp.
and Periconia byssoides
and Rhizopus nigricans
and Verticillium sp.
Rungia
Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora sp.
Sago
Sooty mould Fungus Borinquenia sp. 270
Black mould on leaves Fungi Melanographium sp.
and Tripospermum sp.
and Zygosporium gibbum
Parallel sided leaf spot Fungus Sphaerulina sp.
Leaf spot Fungus
(Also several fungi isolated from processed sago)
Shallot
Leaf tip burn Fungus Alternaria porri 122
Leaf tip wither Fungus Botryotinia fuckeliana 123
Smudge Fungus Colletotrichum circinans 124
29
Snake gourd
With leaf spot Fungus Colletotrichum orbiculare 162
Leaf spot Possibly bacterial
Sorghum
Rust Fungus Puccinia purpurea
Soursop
Sooty mould Fungi Capnodium sp. 270
and Chaetothyrium sp. 270
and Microxyphium sp. 270
Pink disease Fungus Phanerochaete salmonicolor 260
Blossom blight Fungus Glomerella cingulata 261
Algal leaf spot Alga Cephaleuros virescens 274
Soybean
Leaf spot Fungus Ascochyta sp.
and Cercospora canescens 64
Angular leaf spot Fungus Phaeoisariopsis griseola 60
Rust Fungus Phakopsora pachyrhizi 80
Bacterial leaf spot Bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. glycine 63
Leaf distortion Possibly virus
Mosaic Possibly virus
Yellow mosaic Virus
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne sp. 271
Strawberry
Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora vexans
Leaf spot Fungus Colletotrichum sp. 261
Scorch Fungus Diplocarpon earlianum 259
Eye spot Fungus Mycosphaerella fragariae 258
On roots Trichoderma viridae
Roots Nematode Aphelenchoides sp.
Sugarcane
Red rot leaf sheath Fungus Athelia rolfsii 264
Eye spot Fungus Bipolaris sacchari 182
Pineapple disease Fungus Ceratocystis paradoxa 187
Brown spot Fungus Cercospora longipes 179
Veneer blotch Fungus Deightoniella papuana 196
Brown stripe Fungus Bipolaris stenospila 180
Pokkah boeng Fungus Gibberella fujikuroi 188
Red rot Fungus Glomerella tucumanensis 191
Ring spot Fungus Leptosphaeria sacchari 185
Yellow spot Fungus Mycovellosiella koepkei 197
Downy mildew Fungus Peronosclerospora sacchari 181
Rind disease Fungus Phaeocytostroma sacchari 193
Tar spot Fungus Phyllachora sacchari 195
Rust, orange Fungus Puccinia kuehnii 186
Red leaf streak Fungus Ramulispora sacchari
Leaf scorch Fungus Stagnospora sacchari (Unconfirmed) 184
Ramu stunt Possibly viroid
Ramu scorch 189
Red stripe Bacteria Pseudomonas rubrilineans 192
Fiji disease Virus Sugarcane Fiji disease virus 183
Mosaic Virus 194
Leaf scald Bacterium Xanthomonas albilineans
Sunflower
Collar rot Fungus Athelia rolfsii 262
Mould on head Fungus Botryotinia fuckeliana
Rust Fungus Puccinia helianthi
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne javanica 271
Surinam cherry
Scab fruit Fungus Pestalotia eugeniae
and Pyrenochaeta sp.
Swamp taro
Algal leaf spot Alga Cephaleuros virescens 274
31
Sweet potato
Stem & leaf blight Fungus Alternaria alternata
Leaf spot Fungus Ascochyta convolvuli 207
Collar rot Fungus Athelia rolfsii 262
Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora bataticola 207
Black rot Fungus Ceratocystis fimbriata 209
Leaf spot Fungus Didymella sp.
Scab Fungus Elsinoe batatas 208
Scurf Fungus Moniliochaetes infuscans
Leaf spot Fungus Phoma sorghina
Stems with internal browning Fungus Phomopsis ipomoea-batatas 206
Leaf spot Fungus Phyllosticta sp.
Foot rot Fungus Plenodomus destruens
Leaf spot Fungus Pseudocercospora timorensis 205
Soft rot Fungus Rhizopus stolonifer 210
Tuber rot Fungus Botrydiplodia theobromae 265
and Bacteria Erwinia sp.
and Bacteria Erwinia chrysanthemi 262
and Fungus Fusarium sp.
Fusarium wilt/tuber rot Fungus Fusarium oxysporium 204
and Fusarium lateritium
and Fusarium solani
Storage rot Fungus Aspergillus sp.
and Choanephora sp.
and Mucor sp.
Blue mould rot Fungus Penicillium sp.
Charcoal rot Fungus Macrophomina phaseolina 203
Little leaf & vein clearing Mycoplasma like organism 211
Leaf chlorosis & vein clearing Virus Sweet potato feathery mottle virus
and Caulimo-like virus
Potyvirus leaf curling Virus
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne sp. 271
Sweetsop
Blossom blight Fungus Glomerella cingulata 261
Pink disease Fungus Phanerochaete salmonicolor 260
32
Taro
Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora sp.
Blossom blight Fungus Choanephora cucurbitarum 267
Brown leaf spot Fungus Cladosporium colocasiae 216
Leaf spot Fungus Colletotrichum sp.
Leaf spot Fungus Leptosphaerulina trifolii
Leaf spot Fungus Neojohnstonia colocasiae 218
Shot hole Fungus Phyllosticta sp. 221
Blight Fungus Phytophthora colocasiae 222
Leaf blight Fungus Thanatephorus cucumeris 217
Root rot Fungus Pythium spp. 220
Mosaic Virus Dasheen mosaic virus 219
Dwarfed plants Viruses Alomae & Bobone viruses. 214
Mitimiti disease Nematode Hirschmanniella miticausa
Root rot Fungus Fusarium solani
and Periconia sp.
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne sp. 271
With corm rot Fungus Botrydiplodia theobromae 265
and Chaetophoma sp
and Rhizoctonia sp. 266
and Athelia rolfsii 262
Corm and stem rot Bacterium Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora 262
Bacterial leaf blight Bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. aracearum 215
Tomato
Target spot Fungus Alternaria solani 233
Fruit rot Fungus Athelia rolfsii 264
and Phytophthora nicotianae 229
Collar rot Fungus Athelia rolfsii 264
and Pythium butleri 266
and Thanatephorus cucumeris 266
Anthracnose Fungus Colletotrichum sp. 226
Leaf spot Fungus Curvularia sp.
Leaf spot Fungus Corynespora cassiicola
and Phoma destructive
and Septoria lycopersici 231
Fruit spot Fungus Didymella lycopersici 230
Brown mould Fungus Fulvia fulvum 228
Wilt and collar rot Fungus Fusarium equiseti
and Fusarium oxysporum
Leaf spot Fungus Helminthosporium sp.
Brown leaf mould Fungus Pseudocercospora fuligena 227
Small leaf spot Fungus Stemphylium lycopersici
Bacterial wilt Bacterium Pseudomonas solanacearum 226
Bacterial leaf spot Bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria
Soft rot fruit Bacterium Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora 262
Mosaic Virus Tobacco mosaic virus 232
Spotted wilt Virus 234
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne arenaria 271
Meloidogyne incognita 271
Meloidogyne javanica 271
33
Tree tomato
Leaf spot Fungus Ascochyta sp.
and Phyllosticta sp.
Anthracnose/Fruit rot Fungus Glomerella cingulata 261
Powdery mildew Fungus Oidium sp.
Root rot Fungus Phytophthora palmivora
and Pythium sp. 266
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne sp. 271
Turmeric
Large leaf spot Fungus Phaeodactylium alpiniae
Turnip
Leaf spot Fungi Alternaria brassicae 91
Alternaria brassicicola 92
Black rot Bacteria Xanthomonas campestris pv.campestris 89
Ullucu
Tuber rot Fungus Fusarium sp.
and Penicillium sp.
Watercress
Leaf spot
Watermelon
Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora citrullina 161
Leaf spot Fungus Colletotrichum orbiculare 162
and Leptosphaerulina trifolii
and Aschochyta sp.
Black rot/Gummy stem Fungus Mycosphaerella melonis
blight
Powdery mildew Fungus Oidium sp. 164
Damping off Fungus Pythium irregulare 265
Mosaic Possibly virus 163
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita 271
Winged bean
Flower blight Fungus Choanephora cucurbitarum 72
Anthracnose Fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum 61
Leaf spot Fungus Didymella sp.
Collar rot Fungus Macrophomina phaseolina 67
and Fusarium spp.
and Thanatephorus cucumeris 58
Sooty mould Fungus Meliola erythrinae var psophocarpi 270
Powdery mildew Fungus Oidium sp. 77
Angular leaf spot Fungus Phaeoisariopsis griseola 55
Leaf spot Fungus Pseudocercospora psophocarpi 81
False rust Fungus Synchytrium psophocarpi 70
Leaf curl Possible virus
Little leaf Possible mycoplasma like organism
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita 271
and Meloidogyne javanica 271
34
Yam (See also Greater yam, lesser yam and five leaflet yam.)
Zucchini
Leaf spot Fungus Alternaria cucumerina
Fruit rot Fungus Choanephora sp. 267
Powdery mildew Fungus Erysiphe cichoracearum 164
Storage rot Fungus Fusarium sp.
Stem rot Fungus Fusarium solani
Downy mildew Fungus Pseudoperonospora cubensis 160
35
Aibika diseases
Aibika leaf spot Fungus Myrothecium roridum 36
Leaf blight Fungus Colletotrichum sp. 261
Leaf spot Fungus Phyllosticta sp.
Powdery mildew Fungus Oidium sp 38
Collar rot/root rot Fungus Phytophthora nicotianae var. 39
nicotianae
and Fusarium sp.
and Sclerotium rolfsii 264
With root rot Nematode Aphelenchus avenae
Basal stem rot Fungus Sarcopodium vanillae
Green mottle Virus 37
36
Disease: Aibika leaf spot
Scientific name: Myrothecium roridum Tode ex Fr.
How the disease spreads: The fungus can live on dead plant material in the soil.
The fungus can spread in soil or on seed and planting material.
The damage: Dead spots form on leaves and stems. Young plants can also
die.
Other plants that get the disease: The fungus also attacks coffee, eggplant, mung
bean, daka, cowpea, tomatoes, okra, pumpkins and some flowers.
Control:
1. Avoid diseased garden sites.
2. Get rid of diseased plant remains.
3. Chemical fungicides can be used for control.
References:
CMI descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 253, 1970
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops. Cambridge p 285
How the disease spreads: These viruses can be spread mechanically by plant
rubbing together or by sap being spread between plants in other ways such as
knives when cutting plants.
The damage: Although obvious, the disease does not appear to reduce the yield
very much.
Control:
References:
38
Disease: Powdery mildew of Aibika
Scientific name: Oidium sp.
How the disease spreads: The powdery growth on the leaves is made up of chains
of spores. The spores are blown from plant to plant by the wind. The spores of
powdery mildews can develop without water provided the humidity is high.
The damage: The fungus causes damage by growing of the surface of leaves and
absorbing food from the leaves. The fungal growth also prevents light reaching the
leaves. When there is a lot of fungal growth the leaves shrivel and die.
Other plants that get the disease: Similar powdery mildew fungi attack plants in
the pumpkin family and also pawpaw.
Control:
1. Improving plant spacing normally assists control.
2. Some chemical sprays will control the disease although this is not usually
necessary. You would need to see a didiman before you used sprays.
References:
39
Disease: Root rot aibika
(And other plants)
How the disease spreads: The fungus can spread with rain or through wet soil. It
can more easily attack the plant if the surface of the stem near the ground is
damaged. Spores can also blow in the wind.
Other plants that get the disease: This fungus also causes seedling wilt of
passionfruit. It also grows on pineapple, strawberry, citrus, tomato, tobacco and a
number of other plants.
Control:
1. Spacing plants to make them less crowded.
2. Mulching around plants to prevent the fungus splashing from the soil
during rain.
3. Planting material or plants can be treated with chemical. See Plant
Pathology note 27.
References:
CMI Description of Pathogenic Fungi No 35. 1964
Plant Pathology Note No 27. or Harvest 11(2) p82
How the disease spreads: The fungus lives in the soil and can live for many years.
It can spread in soil water. Roots are attacked when air is cut off from roots by
poor drainage. The initial damage occurs where young roots are growing rapidly.
The damage: Trees are killed. Sometimes other fungi are associated with the root
rot.
Other plants that get the disease: Pineapple, avocado, cinchona and many other
trees are damaged by the same fungus.
Control:
1. Avoid poorly drained soils.
2. Don't transplant trees from infected nurseries. Sterilise seedbeds.
3. Treat seed with hot water at 49°C for 30 minutes.
4. Grow cover crops and keep mulch around trees.
5. Chemicals are used to control the disease in commercial plantings.
References:
Graham, K.M., Plant Diseases of Fiji HMSO p 9.
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 113 1966
Kranz, J et al (ed), 1977, Diseases, Pests and Weeds in Tropical Crops Verlag Paul Parey p 76
Persley, D.M., et al (eds), 1989, Fruit and Nut Crops - a disease management guide. Queensland
DPI. Information Series QI 88018
Vock, N.T., 1978, A Handbook of plant diseases in Colour Vol 1 Queensland DPI.
Pink disease & algal leaf spot also occur on avocado. See pages 233, 257. Corynespora sp
fungus also causes a leaf spot on avocado. Normally these are spots that form zones or rings of
darker colour and sometimes a hole in the centre. This type of disease is described under
shothole of pawpaw. See page...
41
Banana diseases
Symptoms Cause Scientific name Page
How the disease spreads: The small fungal spores can live on banana flowers and
on old leaves. During wet weather it is splashed by rain onto the young banana
fruit. The small spores can also be spread by insects.
The damage: It causes ripe banana fruit to rot. It is the main cause of wastage of
bananas in storage.
Other plants that get the disease: The fungus Colletotrichum exists in many
different forms that attack a large number of different plants usually causing leaf,
stem and fruit spots. See page 247.
Control:
1. Harvest the fruit at the correct stage before they get too ripe.
2. Handle fruit carefully to reduce bruising.
3. Store bananas under cool conditions.
4. Varieties of bananas differ in how much they get the disease.
5. Keep dead banana leaves away from fruit as they can spread the disease.
6. Bananas can be dipped in chemicals to stop the disease.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 222
Graham, K.M., Plant Diseases of Fiji HMSO p 11
Holliday, P, 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops. Cambridge.
Kranz, J., et al (eds), 1977, Diseases, Pests and Weeds in Tropical Crops Verlag Paul
Parey p 196
43
Disease: Armillaria Corm rot of Bananas
How the disease spreads: The disease normally occurs when bananas are planted
on land recently cleared from forest. The fungus spreads from large forest trees. It
damages the roots.
The damage: The disease is not widespread but can kill bananas where it occurs.
Other plants that get the disease: It has been recorded on tea and coffee. It has
also been recorded causing root rot of yams in other countries. It attacks almost all
types of trees and shrubs.
Control:
1. Dig out, chop up and burn infected plants.
2. Don't re-plant in the same hole.
3. Planting bananas in newly cleared rainforest where the disease occurs is a
risk.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 321, 1972 and map 143
Kranz, J., et al, 1977, Diseases, Pests and Weeds of Tropical Crops Verlag Paul Parey p
145
Pest Control in Bananas PANS Manual No 1 p 47 1977
Stover, R.H., 1972, Banana, Plantain and Abaca Diseases CAB p 186
44
Disease: Bacterial corm rot banana
Scientific name: Erwinia chrysanthemi
How the disease spreads: It can live in soil that contains plant debris. It lasts
longer in heavy clay soils and soils with high soil moisture (>80%). It survives
longer in neutral or alkaline soils. The bacteria are encouraged if the roots are
damaged letting plant sap leak from the roots.
The damage: Young plants can die. With older plants the false trunk can be
pushed over.
Other plants that get the disease: Some strains of the bacterium can attack
potatoes, tomatoes, pineapples and many other plants. In pineapples it causes heart
rot.
Control:
1. Most likely AAB type bananas get more damage than the AAA sweet
bananas.
2. Avoid planting into very wet soil or in very wet conditions.
3. Avoid damaging the stem and planting material.
References:
Plant pathology note 18 of Harvest 8(3) p141
Tomlinson, D.L., King, G.A. and Ovia, A., Bacterial corm and rhizome rot of banana in
Papua New Guinea. Tropical Pest Management, 1987, 33(3), 196-199
45
Disease: Banana black cross
Scientific name: Phyllachora musicola Booth & Shaw
How the disease spreads: The fungus produces ascospores in flask-like structure
embedded in the leaf tissue. These ascospores are shot out from these structures
when infected leaves become wet and are spread by wind and rain.
The damage: It damages B group Java type bananas most. It does not appear to
cause serious damage. It may allow diamond spot fungus to get started as a disease
on leaves.
Other plants that get the disease: This disease only infects bananas.
Control:
Normally control is not needed.
References:
Booth, C et al, 1961, PNG Ag Journ. 13(4) p 157-159
Graham, K.M., Plant Diseases of Fiji. HMSO. p 12
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops Cambridge p 330
Pest Control in Bananas PANS Manual No 1 p 31, 1977
Stover, Banana, Plantain & Abaca Diseases CMI p 109
46
Disease: Banana rust
Scientific name: Uredo musae Cummins
(Very similar to Uromyces musae P.Henn that
occurs in Africa. The two names are often confused.)
How the disease spreads: The rust spots are produced on the streaks on the lower
surface. It is these masses of developing spores that cause the streaks to be raised
and feel rough to the touch.
The damage: The damage is normally only slight and its effect is not considered
important. It increases on some varieties in the cool season. Some diploids get
most damage. The disease has not so far been a problem in Papua New Guinea.
Other plants that get the disease: This particular rust fungus only affects bananas
although other rust fungi affect many plants.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 295, 1971
Firman, I.D., 1976, Banana rust in Fiji & other Pacific Islands. Fiji Agric. J. 38:85-86
Graham, K. M, 1971, Plant Diseases of Fiji HMSO p 28
Wardlaw, C. N., 1971, Banana Diseases Longmans. p 404
47
Disease: Black leaf streak of banana (Black Sigatoka)
(Very similar to Sigatoka leaf spot.)
How the disease spreads: It spreads more quickly than Sigatoka and is harder to
control. It can spread by blowing in the wind. As well it can spread on leaves and
suckers as they are moved around.
The damage: This disease causes serious damage in PNG. It can cause serious
loss of leaf in wet conditions. Fruit bunches therefore don't ripen properly and
fruit don't fill out properly.
Other plants that get the disease: The disease only occurs on banana.
Control:
1. It can be controlled by regular sprays with chemical fungicides.
2. Some of the tradition AA type diploid bananas in PNG get this disease less.
3. The practice of planting different kinds of bananas in village gardens probably
helps in keeping disease levels low as some banana varieties are less susceptible to
the disease than others.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Plant Pathogenic fungi No 413, 1972 and map 500
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops. Cambridge p 278
Kranz, J, and others, 1977, Diseases, Pests and Weeds in Tropical Crops Verlag, Paul
Parey. p 132
48
Disease: Sigatoka of bananas (Yellow Sigatoka)
(A leaf spot) It is similar to Black leaf streak.
Scientific name: Mycosphaerella musicola Leach
Asexual: Cercospora musae Zimm.
The conditions it likes: The disease spreads in much the same way as black leaf
streak although it is often less severe and easier to control. It gets worse with
temperatures of 23°C-28°C and humid conditions. It spreads in wet windy weather.
How the disease spreads: The spores spread by splashing water and by being
flicked into the air. (Conidia form if temperatures 15°-30°C; ascospores between
17° & 27°C).
The damage: The leaves can die early so that the fruit is smaller, doesn't fill out
and ripen properly and is slower getting ready.
Other plants that get the disease: The disease only infects bananas.
Control:
1. Some varieties (B group) get the disease less.
2. It can be controlled with oil sprays.
3. Wider spacing helps control.
4. Disease is less in fertile soil.
5. Remove and burn dead leaves.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 414, 1974 & CMI map 7, 1968.
Graham, K.M., 1971, Plant Diseases of Fiji HMSO p 29
Kranz, J.et al, 1977, Diseases, Pests & Weeds in Tropical Crops.Verlag Paul Parey p 129
Persley, D.M, et al (eds), 1989, Fruit and Nut Crops - a disease management guide. Queensland
DPI Information Series QI 88018 p 12
Stover, R.H., 1972, Banana, Plantain & Abaca Diseases CMI p 37
49
Disease: Black Spot of Banana
Scientific name: Deightoniella torulosa (Sydow) M.B.Ellis
How the disease spreads: The fungus lives on decaying vegetation and is blown
in the wind. The spores are more commonly spread in the morning, and after rain.
Control:
1. Improve growing conditions, drainage and fertility.
2. Covering fruit bunches with plastic bags with holes, reduces the damage
to fruit.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 165, 1968 and Map 175
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops. Cambridge. p 124
Pests Control in Bananas PANS Manual No 1 p 31 & 64, 1977
Stover, R.H., Banana, Plantain & Abaca Diseases CAB p 93
50
Disease: Burrowing nematode of Banana
Scientific name: Radopholus similis (Cobb)
What it looks like: It causes a root rot in bananas. Roots can have reddish brown
dead spots and cracks. This weakened root system causes the plant to fall over. As
well leaf growth is poor and leaves die. Plant growth is less and fewer suckers are
produced. Young plants turn yellow and become stunted.
The cause: The disease is caused by a very small worm that burrows into the
plant. It is too small to see without a microscope.
The conditions it likes: Between 24° and 32°C the nematode can complete a life
cycle in 20-25 days. Without banana plants, they cannot survive in the soil for
more than 12 weeks.
How the disease spreads: It gets into gardens on the roots of banana plants and
suckers. It can spread in water washing down gardens.
The damage: The damage can be severe. Diseased banana plants age prematurely
and carry smaller bunches than healthy plants. It can mean plants need to be
replanted each year into clean fresh soil and also mean other root rots can more
easily get started.
Other plants that get the disease: The nematode can attack a large number of
plants including citrus, pepper, sugarcane, tea, coffee, maize and vegetables. It is
thought that different strains of the nematode attack different crops.
Control:
1. Rotate bananas with other crops that do not get damaged.
2. Peel off the diseased outer layer from corms or suckers before planting and
remove all discoloured roots.
3. Banana corms may be soaked in hot water (55°C for 20 minutes) before
planting.
4. Some varieties of bananas get less damage (B group).
5. Don't use cowpeas, sorghum grasses or stylo as cover crops near bananas.
6. Soils can be treated by flooding for 5 to 6 months.
7. Chemicals called nematicides can be used in commercial plantings but this is
expensive and not recommended for small holders.
References:
Kranz, J, and others, 1977, Diseases, Pests and Weeds in Tropical Crops VPP p 164
Persley, D.M., et al (eds), 1989, Fruit and Nut Crops - a disease management guide. Queensland
DPI. Information Series QI 88018 p 14
Other nematodes have also been recorded from bananas including root knot nematode
(Meloidogyne sp.) and Helicotylenchus multicinctus; Pratylenchus sp.; Rotylenchus sp.
51
Disease: Diamond leaf spot banana
(Also called Cordana Leaf spot)
How the disease spreads: The fungus may get started when some other fungus
leaf spot has already damaged the leaf. Large numbers of spores are produced on
the underside of leaves and spread during wet windy weather.
The damage: Normally the damage is not serious but it can be more serious on B
group bananas.
Other plants that get the disease: The disease only occurs on bananas.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 350,1972 & Map 168
Graham, K.M., 1971, Plant Diseases of Fiji. HMSO. p 18
Holliday, P, 1980, Fungus diseases of Tropical Crops. Cambridge.
Pest Control in Bananas PANS Manual No 1 p 28, 1977
Stover, R.H., 1972, Banana Diseases CMI/CAB p 89
Wardlaw, C.W., 1961, Banana Diseases. Longmans. p 386
52
Disease: Freckle of Bananas
Scientific name: Phyllostictina musarum (Cooke) van de Aa
[Synonyms: Macrophoma musae (Cooke) Berl & Vogl.
Phoma musae (Cooke) Sacc.
& Phyllostictina musarum (Cooke) Petrak]
Sexual stage: Guignardia musae Racib.
How the disease spreads: The fungus spreads in wind and rain. Spores are
produced in the black dots. These are washed off by rain and cause secondary
infections on the leaves or fruit.
The damage: The damage is not serious. Some of the AAB type horn plantains
(The bananas with only a few really large fruit) can get this disease worse. The
damage to the fruit is probably worse than to the leaves.
Other plants that get the disease: The disease only occurs on bananas.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 467, 1969
Graham, K.M., 1971, Plant diseases of Fiji HMSO p 20
Holliday, P, 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops. Cambridge. p 236
Stover, R.H., 1972, Banana diseases CMI/CAB p 102, 131
53
Disease: Infectious chlorosis banana
Scientific name: Cucumber mosaic virus
How the disease spreads: The disease is spread by small sap sucking aphid
insects such as the cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii), corn leaf aphid (Rhopalosiphum
maidis) and banana aphid (Pentalonia nigronervosa). It is mostly spread from
pumpkin family plants to bananas.
Other plants that get the disease: Pumpkin family plants, tomatoes, maize, some
traditional greens and some weeds.
References:
Graham, K.M., 1971, Plant Diseases of Fiji, HMSO p22.
PANS Manual No 1 Pest Control in Bananas p 52,1977.
Persley, D.M., et al, (eds), 1989, Fruit and nut Crops - a disease management guide.
Queensland DPI. Information series QI 88018. p 15.
54
Disease: Leaf speckle of bananas
Scientific name: Ramichloridium musae (Stahel ex M.B. Ellis) de Hoog
[Synonyms: Veronaea musae and Periconiella musae]
How the disease spreads: Spots are produced on the underside of banana leaves.
These are spread by wind and rain to healthy leaves.
Other plants that get the disease: The disease only occurs on bananas.
References:
Graham, K.M., 1971, Plant Diseases of Fiji HMSO p 31
Pest Control in Bananas PANS Manual No 1 p 31, 1977
Stover, R.H., 1972, Banana Diseases CMI/CAB p 97
55
Disease: Leaf spot of bananas
(Sometimes called Leaf speckle of bananas)
The damage: It damages AAA type bananas and B group bananas are resistant.
Other plants that get the disease: Cladosporium musae only infects bananas
although there are many other species of Cladosporium that infect a wide range of
plants.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 958, 1988
Stover, R.H., 1972, Banana Diseases CMI/ CAB p 100
56
Disease: Malayan leaf spot of bananas
(Also called diamond leaf spot)
How the disease spreads: Probably the spores develop on the lower leaf surface
and spread by wind and rain. Disease development is apparently favoured by cool
wet weather. Infection is more severe on older leaves.
The damage: In a severe attack spots can cover the entire surface of the leaf
causing yellowing.
Other plants that get the disease: The disease only infects bananas.
References:
CMI Descriptions of pathogenic Fungi No 496, 1976
PANS Manual No 1 Pest Control in Bananas p28, 1977
57
Bean diseases
Bean Cause Scientific name Page
Bean-common
Leaf spot Fungus Alternaria tenuis
Leaf spot Fungus Ascochyta phaseolarum 62
Grey mould Fungus Botryotinia fuckeliana 73
Anthracnose Fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum 61
Angular leaf spot Fungus Phaeoisariopsis griseola 60
Collar rots Fungi Athelia rolfsii 262
and Rhizoctonia solani
Leaf blight Fungus Thanatephorus cucumeris 66
Leaf spots Fungi Cercospora canescens 65
and Cladosporium oxysporum
and Corynespora casiicola
and Periconia byssoides
Floury white mould Fungus Mycovellosiella phaseoli 71
Rust Fungus Uromyces appendiculatus 64
Mosaic Virus Bean common mosaic virus (unconfirmed) 68
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne arenaria 271
and Meloidogyne incognita 271
Bacterial blight Bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv phaseolini
On seeds Fungus Aspergillus sp.
Broad bean
Leaf spot Fungus Ascochyta sp.
Leaf spot Fungus Cladosporium sp.
Sooty mould Fungus Epicoccum sp.
Leaf blight Fungus Fusarium sp.
Leaf spot Fungus Phoma sp.
Rust Fungus Uromyces viciae-fabae 79
Jackbean
Leaves small & distorted Probably virus
Kudzu
Yellow mould Fungus Mycovellosiella puerariae
False rust Fungus Synchytrium minutum 69
Leaf spot
Lablab bean
Leaf spot Fungus Ascochyta dolichi
Angular leaf spot Fungus Cercospora canescens 65
Tip wilt Fungus Choanephora cucurbitarum 267
Leaf blight Fungus Thanatephorus cucumeris 66
Small twisted leaves Probably virus
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne arenaria 271
Lima bean
Rust Fungus Phakopsora vignae
Concentric spots Fungus Phoma exigua 62
Root knot Fungus Meloidogyne incognita 271
Mung bean
Leaf spot Fungus Alternaria sp.
Leaf spot Fungus Phoma exigua 62
Leaf spot Fungus Phyllosticta sp.
Leaf spot Fungus Myrothecium roridum
Collar rot Fungus Athelia rolfsii 262
Mosaic Virus 68
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita 271
Pea
Leaf spot Fungus Ascochyta pinodes
Leaf spot Fungus Mycosphaerella pinodes 74
Brown mould Fungus Fulvia fulvum
Powdery mildew Fungus Oidium sp. 269
Leaf spot Fungus Phyllosticta sp.
Mosaic Probably virus
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita 271
Dry rot seeds Fungus Penicillium sp.
Pigeon pea
Leaf spot Fungus Mycovellosiella cajani 75
Pink disease Fungus Phanerochaete salmonicolor 260
On seeds Fungus Aspergillus niger
and Chaetomium sp.
and Curvularia lunata
59
and Fusarium solani
and Penicillium sp.
and Nigrospora oryzae
Rice bean
Blossom blight Fungus Choanephora cucurbitarum 267
False rust Fungus Synchytrium phaseoli 69
Rust Fungus Uromyces sp. 64
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne arenaria 271
and Meloidogyne javanica 271
On seeds Fungus Aspergillus niger
and Penicillium sp.
and Periconia byssoides
and Rhizopus nigricans
and Verticillium sp.
Soya bean
Leaf spot Fungus Ascochyta sp.
and Cercospora canescens 64
Rust Fungus Phakopsora pachyrhizi 80
Bacterial leaf spot Bacteria Xanthomonas campestris pv glycines 63
Leaf distortion Possibly virus
Mosaic Possibly virus
Yellow mosaic Virus
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne sp. 271
Winged bean
Flower blight Fungus Choanephora cucurbitarum 72
Anthracnose Fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum 61
Leaf spot Fungus Didymella sp.
Collar rot Fungus Macrophomina phaseolina 67
and Fusarium spp.
and Thanatephorus cucumeris 58
Sooty mould Fungus Meliola erythrinae var psophocarpi 270
Powdery mildew Fungus Oidium sp. 77
Leaf spot Fungus Pseudocercospora psophocarpi 81
False rust Fungus Synchytrium psophocarpi 70
Leaf curl Possible virus
Little leaf Possible mycoplasma like organism
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita 271
and Meloidogyne javanica 271
How the disease spreads: The most important way the disease spreads is by wind
blown spores coming from old bean plant remains left lying around in a garden.
The spores can live on this type of bean plant material for up to 18 months. It can
also spread to some extent on bean seed.
Other plants that get the disease: Common bean, Lima bean, Pea and cowpea. It
also attacks some other legumes and okra.
Control:
1. Crop rotation is important. There needs to be a 2-year gap between bean crops.
2. Sanitation. This means removing or burying deeply any plant remains from
bean crops.
3. Resistant varieties. Some varieties of beans get the disease less severely.
4. Planting disease free seed.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 847, 1986 Map 328
Graham, K.M., 1971, Plant Diseases of Fiji. HMSO. p 124
Schwartz, H.F. & Galvez, G.E. (ed), 1980, Bean production problems CIAT
61
Disease: Anthracnose of beans
Scientific name: Colletotrichum lindemuthianum (Sacc & Magn) Bri& Cav
How the disease spreads: It mostly spreads on seeds. It can also spread from old
diseased bean plants. Wind, rain and movement of people can spread the disease
within the crop.
Other plants that get the disease: It attacks lima bean, scarlet runner bean,
cowpea, broad bean, green gram, rice bean, lablab bean, mung bean, and common
bean.
Control:
1. Clean seed can be produced in hot dry places.
2. Seeds can be treated with chemicals.
3. Get rid of old diseased bean plants.
4. Rotate bean crops.
5. Try not to walk past bean plants when the leaves are wet.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 316, 1971 & map 177
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops. Cambridge. p 104
Schwartz, H.F. & Galvez, G.E.(ed), 1980, Bean Production Problems CIAT p 39-54
Vock, N.T., 1978, A Handbook of plant diseases in colour Vol 1 Queensland DPI
62
Disease: Ascochyta leaf spot of beans
(Sometimes called Aschochyta blight)
How the disease spreads: The disease can stay on the seed for over 2 years. It
can also spread from old plant tissue and diseased plants.
Other plants that get the disease: The disease also attacks Jack bean, soya bean,
lablab bean, rice bean, lima bean, mung bean common bean, cowpea, snake bean
and other beans.
Control:
1. Use healthy seed.
2. Get rid of diseased old plants.
3. Protect plants from wind damage and grow plants well.
4. Chemical fungicides (zineb) can be used.
5. Growing beans and maize together reduces the disease.
6. The disease can spread from tropical legume pastures.
References:
Allen, D.J., 1983, The Pathology of Tropical Food Legumes, Wiley-Interscience p 209
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 81, 1966
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops Cambridge p 34
Vock, N.T., 1978, A Handbook of plant disease in Colour Vol.1 Queensland DPI
63
Disease: Bacterial pustule of Soybean
Scientific name: Xanthomonas campestris pv. glycines
Other plants that get the disease: There are many strains of Xanthomonas
campestris that attack a wide range of crops. Each strain is however specific to a
single crop. For example Xanthomonas campestris pv. glycines is specific to soya
bean.
Control:
1. Some varieties get less disease.
2. Use clean seed.
References:
Allen, D.J., 1983, The Pathology of Tropical Food Legumes. Wiley- Interscience. p 140-
141
64
Disease: Bean rust
Scientific name: Uromyces appendiculatus (Pers.) Unger
[Synonyms: Uromyces phaseoli (Reben) Wint.
and Uromyces vignae Barcl.
and Uromyces dolichi Cooke]
The conditions it likes: The fungus more easily attacks the bean plant if there are
moderate temperatures of between 21°-27°C and a high humidity of greater than
95% for 10-18 hours. The disease also attacks more easily under cloudy
conditions with low light intensity. That is cool damp conditions where there are
mists or fogs.
How the disease spreads: The disease is spread by the rust spores being blown
from off old bean plants and being blown about by local wind currents.
The damage: When the disease gets bad the leaves can turn yellow and fall off.
Pods can be spoilt and watery rots develop on them. It can be serious if the disease
gets on the plant before the bean has flowered.
Other plants that get the disease: Common bean, lima bean, scarlet runner bean,
cowpeas.
Control:
1. Sanitation. Get rid of old bean plants preferably by digging them in.
2. Crop rotation. Beans should not be planted in the same place as the last
crop and beans should not be planted so that crops of different ages are always
growing near each other at the same time.
3. Resistant varieties. Some varieties get less damaged by the disease.
4. The disease could be controlled by fungicide chemicals.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 57 1965
Graham, K.M., 1971, Plant Diseases of Fiji HMSO p 182
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops. Cambridge. p 523
Vock, N.T., 1978, A Handbook of plant diseases in colour Vol 1 Queensland DPI
65
Disease: Cercospora leaf spot of beans.
Also occurs on cowpea and other beans
How the disease spreads: In humid weather a grey mould covers the leaf spots.
This mould is made up of millions f spores which are easily knocked off the leaves
and blown for long distances by the wind. Spores can also be carried on the seed.
The damage: Because the disease is mostly on older leaves that are already dying
the damage is normally not serious.
Other plants that get the disease: The fungus will grow on cowpea, long bean,
common bean, soybean, lablab bean and green gram bean.
Control:
1. Not normally required.
2. Some resistance occurs in some varieties.
3. Use clean seed.
References:
Allen, D.J., 1983, The Pathology of Tropical Food Legumes. Wiley-Interscience. p 205-
206
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 985, 1990
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops Cambridge. p 67
66
Disease: Collar rot and leaf blight of beans
(Also causes leaf blight of beans which is also called Web blight)
The cause: The disease is caused by a fungus. It causes collar rot of beans in
cooler areas and leaf blight in hot humid places.
How the disease spreads: This fungus lives in the soil and can live on weakened
or dead plant material. It can spread from the soil by the fungal threads just
growing over and into the plant. It can probably also spread by spores. It can be on
bean seed.
The damage: It causes the plants to rot off just near ground level for collar rots. It
can help kill plants under crowded and poor damp growing conditions both as
collar rot and leaf blight.
Other plants that get the disease: This fungus has been recorded on a large
number of plants. In the bean group it is recorded on winged bean, lablab bean,
common bean, cowpea, peanut, and some cover crop legumes. It also attacks
bananas, Ceylon spinach, cabbage, capsicum, chilli, pawpaw, coconut, carrot,
tomato, mint, pepper, potato, sorghum, corn, ginger & some tree crops.
Control:
1. Plant seeds in well-drained soil. Avoid very wet damp soils.
2. In some sites raised beds may be needed to minimise collar rot.
3. Seeds should not be too deep.
4. Wider spacing can reduce the disease by improving air circulation.
5. Mulching with straw around plants may help control.
References:
Allen, D.J., 1983, The Pathology of Tropical Food Legumes. Wiley-Inter. p 207
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 406, 1974
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops. Cambridge. p 503
67
Disease: Collar rot winged bean
Scientific names: Macrophomina phaseolina
Rhizoctonia solani
Fusarium equiseti
Fusarium semitectum
Fusarium moniliforme (Sex. Gibberella fujikuroi)
How the disease spreads: These fungi are very widely distributed in the soil and
also occur in the air. Some of them cannot easily attack a healthy plant but together
they can kill weakened plants.
The damage: Seedlings can fall over and die. When this occurs the condition is
called "damping off".
Other plants that get the disease: Many other plants can be attacked by these
same fungi.
Control:
1. Shallow planting in well-drained soils.
References:
Price, T.V.; Munro, P.E., Fungi Associated with collar rot of winged bean in Papua New
Guinea. PANS (1978) 24(1)53-56.
68
Disease: Common mosaic bean
Scientific name: Bean common mosaic virus
How the disease spreads: The disease can be carried in the seed. It can also be
spread by small sap sucking aphid insects.
Other plants that get the disease: Other bean family plants can carry the disease.
Control:
1. Use disease free seed.
2. Plant kinds of beans that get less disease.
3. Do not plant beans close to existing bean crops where the disease is
suspected to occur.
References:
Vock, N.T., 1978, A handbook of plant diseases in colour. Vol.1.Queensland DPI.
Persley, D.M. et al (eds) 1989, Vegetable Crops - a disease management guide
Queensland DPI Information Series QI 88019. p 6
69
Disease: False rust of rice bean
Scientific name: Synchytrium phaseoli Weston
How the disease spreads: The fungal spores blow in the wind and are splashed by
rain.
The damage: Leaves can fall off and seedlings can be killed.
Other plants that get the disease: This disease can occur on a number of beans
including rice bean, lima bean, green gram as well as siratro and phasey bean and
Rhynchosia minima.
Control:
References:
CMI Descriptions of Plant pathogenic fungi No 758, 1983
A similar disease called false rust of kudzu (Pueraria lobata) caused by a similar fungus
Synchytrium minutum (Pat) Gaum causes very light-red to orange powdery spores to form in
patches over the leaves.
70
Disease: False rust of winged bean
Scientific name: Synchytrium psophocarpi (Rac.) Gaum.
How the disease spreads: The fungal spores are spread by wind. The seeds from
infected plants do not carry the disease. Spores can spread about 15 metres. They
spread mostly in the evening.
The damage: Growth of leaves and plants can be severely restricted. Plant parts
are made less attractive to eat. It is not harmful to eat plant parts with the fungus.
Other plants that get the disease: The fungus only grows on winged bean.
Control:
1. Removing early signs of the disease is claimed to help.
2. As the spores only live for a short time when the weather is humid and
moist cleaning up old plant material should help.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 760, 1983
Drinkall, M.J., 1978, False Rust Disease of the Winged Bean PANS 24(2): 160-166
Drinkall, M.J. & Price, T.V., 1979, Studies of Synchytrium psophocarpi on winged bean in PNG.
Trans. Br. Mycol. Soc. 72(1): 91-98.
Drinkall, M.J. & Price, T.V., 1986, Studies of the infection of the winged bean by Synchytrium
psophocarpi in Papua New Guinea. Ann.Appl. Biol. 109(1): 87-94.
71
Disease: Floury white mould of bean
Scientific name: Mycovellosiella phaseoli (Drummond)Deighton
[Synonym: Ramularia phaseoli (Drummond) Deighton]
How the disease spreads: The disease gets onto the old leaves first. Spores are
blown in the wind.
The damage: It can cause leaves to fall off. It can cause moderately severe
problems in the Highlands.
Other plants that get the disease: Only common bean gets the disease.
Control:
1. Crop rotation
2. Resistant varieties
3. Use of chemical fungicides eg dithane.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 870, 1986 & map 436
Schwartz, H.F., & Galvez, G.E.(ed), 1980, Bean Production Problems CIAT p 138
A similar disease Yellow leaf mould of Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) caused by a similar fungus
Mycovellosiella puerariae D. Shaw & Deighton (Syn. Ramularia puerariae Sawada) occurs on
kudzu a traditional root crop legume but has not been seen on Puero (Pueraria phaseoloides) in
PNG. References: Shaw, D.E. et al, 1970, Trans. Br. Mycol. Soc. 54:326. and Holliday,P.,1980,
Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops. Cambridge.
72
Disease: Flower blight of winged bean
Scientific name: Choanephora cucurbitarum (Berk. & Rav.)Thaxter
[Synonym: Mucor cucurbitarum Berk. & Rav.]
How the disease spreads: This is a fungus that occurs very widely on plant
material as it rots. It can be spread around by insects, wind and water. On winged
beans flowers and pods are much more likely to be attacked if the flowers or pods
are already damaged by insects or other means.
The damage: Flowers can fall off and seedpods may not be produced. Leaves can
also be attacked.
Other plants that get the disease: This fungus can cause blossom blights and
disease on several other plants. These include beetroot, pawpaw, taro, rice bean,
amaranth, okra, cowpea, cassava.
Control:
1. Fungicides used early can reduce the initial rate of disease attack.
2. For climbing beans making sure they are well staked and well spaced
probably helps.
References:
Gunasekara S.A. et al, Choanephora blight of winged bean flowers in Sri Lanka.
Transactions of the British Mycol. Society (1985) 85 (2) 344-345
Oladiran, A.O., Choanephora Pod rot of cowpea in Southern Nigeria. Tropical Pest
Management 26(4): 396-402
73
Disease: Grey mould/pod rot of beans
Scientific name: Botryotinia fuckeliana (de Bary) Fuckel
[Synonym: Sclerotinia fuckeliana (de Bary) Fuckel]
Asexual: Botrytis cinerea Pers. ex Pers.
How the disease spreads: It can be seed borne. It often gets first onto the flowers
then spreads from them to damaged or cut plant parts.
The damage: It causes grey mould of young or fleshy plant tissues. The pods can
be spoilt.
Other plants that get the disease: Strawberry fruit, cabbages, lettuces and other
plants can also get the disease.
Control:
1. Use wider plant spacing.
2. Take care not to damage plants.
References:
CMI Descriptions of pathogenic Fungi No 431, 1974.
74
Disease: Leaf spot of peas
Scientific name: Mycosphaerella pinodes (Berk. & Blox.)Vestergr.
Asexual: Ascochyta pinodes Jones
How the disease spreads: It can be spread by wind and water but also on the seed.
It can survive on dead plants in the soil. Spores can blow for long distances in the
wind.
The damage: The neck of the plant can be attacked killing the plant. Infested
flowers lead to poorly filled pods and damaged seeds. It is usually not serious.
Other plants that get the disease: The fungus can grow on peas and some other
beans.
Control:
1. Use disease free seed.
2. Remove old crop debris.
3. Rotate areas used for peas.
4. Some varieties get less disease.
5. Chemical fungicides can be used to treat seed.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 340, 1972 & Map 316
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops Cambridge p 282
75
Disease: Leaf spot of Pigeon Pea
Scientific name: Mycovellosiella cajani (P.Henn.) Rangel ex Trotter
Asexual: Cercospora cajani P.Henn.
How the disease spreads: Long slender spores invisible to the naked eye form in
clusters on leaf surfaces in rainy or humid conditions. The spores are easily
dislodged from the leaves and can be blown long distances by the wind or wind
driven rain. When spores come to rest on the pigeon pea crops they grow into the
leaves and cause a new infection.
The damage: The damage is to the leaves. If infection is heavy individual leaf
spots can join up forming large brown areas on the leaf surface. Under heavy
infection leaves may be killed and yields reduced.
Other plants that get the disease: Although fungi in the Cercospora group can
attack a wide range of plants each individual fungus in the group is specialised to
infect only one or a small number of host plants.
Control:
1. Some varieties get less damage. This is not an important food crop in
Papua New Guinea and probably only a few varieties occur.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Plant pathogenic fungi No. 628, 1979
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops Cambridge
Onim, J.F.M., 1976, SABRAO Journ. 8:121
76
Disease: Mosaic of yard-long bean
Scientific name: Cowpea mosaic virus
The damage:
Control:
References:
77
Disease: Powdery mildew of winged bean
Scientific name: Erysiphe cichoracearum
Asexual: As Oidium sp.
How the disease spreads: The disease spreads by spores that develop on the upper
surfaces of older leaves. These blow in the wind.
Other plants that get the disease: Powdery mildews get on a wide range of
plants.
Control:
1. Keeping plants well spaced where sun and wind can dry the leaves
probably reduces the disease.
2. Most likely newer systemic fungicides would control the disease. This
would make it dangerous to eat the leaves and flowers, as commonly occurs during
pruning of plants for root production.
References:
Price, T.V., 1977, Powdery Mildew, a new disease of the Winged bean in Papua New
Guinea. Plant Disease Reporter 61(5): 384-385
78
Disease: Powdery mildew of snake bean
(Also occurs on cowpea)
How the disease spreads: The fungus blows in the wind. It also develops very
quickly so that disease outbreaks can occur rapidly.
The damage: It can reduce plant growth by blocking out sunlight. Leaves can dry
up and shrivel and fruit can be distorted.
Other plants that get the disease: The fungus can cause powdery mildew on
pumpkin family plants.
Control:
1. Some crops have some resistance.
2. Sulphur sprays can be used (But not with pumpkin family plants.)
References:
79
Disease: Rust of broad bean
Scientific name: Uromyces viciae-fabae (Pers.) Schroet.
[Synonym: Uromyces fabae (Pers.) de Bary]
How the disease spreads: It can be carried on seed. It can also live for a long time
on old plant material.
Other plants that get the disease: Peas and lentils can also get this disease.
Control:
1. Use varieties with high levels of resistance.
2. Chemical fungicides can be used.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 60, 1965
80
Disease: Rust of Soybean
Scientific name: Phakopsora pachyrhizi Syd. & Syd.
The damage: Leaves fall off early and pods can have no seeds. Seeds also are less
safe to re-plant. Losses can be serious.
Other plants that get the disease: It attacks a number of beans including lablab,
soya bean and common bean.
Control:
1. Some soya bean varieties have more resistance.
2. It can be controlled with chemical fungicides.
References:
Allen, D.J., 1983, The Pathology of Tropical Food Legumes. Wiley-Interscience, p 136
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 589, 1978 & Map 504
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops Cambridge p 318
81
Disease: Leaf spot of winged bean
Scientific name: Pseudocercospora psophocarpi (Yen) Deighton
[Synonym: Cercospora psophocarpi Yen]
How the disease spreads: The spores of the fungus are long lived and can survive
on dead leaves. Most likely the disease is spread by wind and rain.
Control:
1. It can be controlled by fungicides.
References:
Price, T.V., 1978, Diseases of the Winged Bean, in The Winged Bean. 1st Int. Symp. on
Developing the Potentials of the Winged bean, Manila Philippines. p 241-243
Price, T.V., & Munro, P.E., 1978, Pseudocercospora psophocarpi on winged bean in
Papua New Guinea Trans. Br. Myc. Soc. 70(1):47-55
Price, T.V., 1982, Studies of the incidence, severity and distribution of false rust, leaf
spot and powdery mildew on winged bean in Papua New Guinea. Ann. Appl. Biol. 101:473-482.
82
Disease: Anthracnose of betel nut
Scientific name: Colletotrichum gloeosporoides (Penz.)Penz. and Sacc.
Sexual: Glomerella cingulata (Stonem) Spauld and Schrenk
How the disease spreads: The fungus can live on old plant remains as well as on
many other plants.
The damage:
Other plants that get the disease: This is a very common fungus and gets on
many different plants. It causes diseases like anthracnose of mango, wither tip of
cassava and dieback of yams.
Control:
1. It can be controlled by spraying with Bordeaux mixture.
2. Normally improving plant spacing and allowing light and air between
palms reduces the damage from this fungus.
References:
Yashoda, H. & Hegde, R.K., Studies of anthracnose of arecanut (Areca catechu) caused
by Colletotrichum gloeosporoides (Penz) Panz. & Sacc. Plant Pathology Newsletter (1986) 4(1-
2) 24
Betel nut can also get a disease called Black leaf mould due to a fungus Acroconidiellina
arecae (Berk & Broome) M.B.Ellis [Syn. Brachysporium arecae (Berk & Br.) Sacc.]
83
Jackfruit
Pink Disease Fungus Phanerochaete salmonicolor 260
Leaf spot Fungus Colletotrichum sp. 261
84
Disease: Leaf spot of breadfruit
Scientific name: Pseudocercospora artocarpi (H.Sydow & Sydow) Dei.
[Synonym: Cercospora artocarpi H & P Sydow]
How the disease spreads: The fungal spores blow in the wind.
The damage: It tends to get worse on older leaves causing them to fall off early.
It does not seem to be serious.
Other plants that get the disease: No other plants are infected by this particular
fungus although many other similar fungi attack a wide range of crops.
References:
Deighton, Mycol. Papers 140:139. 1976.
85
Disease: Rust of breadfruit
Scientific name: Uredo artocarpi Berk & Br.
References:
(Cummins, Mycologia Vol 32, 1940, p 372.)
86
Brussels sprouts
Black leaf spot Fungus Alternaria brassicicola 88
Black rot Bacterium Xanthomonas campestris 89
Cabbage
Black leaf spot Fungus Alternaria brassicicola 88
Leaf spot Fungus Colletotrichum sp. 261
Ring spot Fungus Mycosphaerella brassicicola 92
Downy mildew Fungus Peronospora parasitica 90
Black rot Bacterium Xanthomonas campestris 89
Soft rot Bacterium Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora 87
Collar rot Fungus Thanatephorus cucumeris 266
Damping off Fungus Pythium sp.
and Rhizoctonia sp.
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita 271
Cauliflower
Black leaf spot Fungus Alternaria brassicicola 88
Leaf spot Fungus Mycosphaerella brassicicola 92
Black rot Bacterium Xanthomonas campestris 89
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne sp. 271
Chinese cabbage
Grey leaf spot Fungus Alternaria brassicae 91
Black leaf spot Fungus Mycosphaerella brassicicola 92
Leaf spot Fungus Septoria sp.
Wet rot Fungus Choanephora cucurbitarum 267
Downy mildew Fungus Peronospora parasitica 90
Leaf wilt (Soft rot) Bacterium Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora 89
Black rot Bacterium Xanthomonas campestris 89
Seedling wilt Fungus Fusarium oxysporum
Radish
Leaf spot Fungus Alternaria raphani
Turnip
Leaf spot Fungi Alternaria brassicae 91
and Alternaria brassicicola 92
Black rot Bacterium Xanthomonas campestris 89
Watercress
Leaf spot Probably fungus
87
Disease: Bacterial soft rot cabbage
Scientific name: Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora
How the disease spreads: The bacterium commonly occurs on rotting plant
material in the soil. It can get onto plants by splashing water and on knives and
other tools used for harvesting. When cabbages are stored together it can spread
by contact.
The damage: The cabbages become rotten and unusable. Mostly it spreads on
cabbages after they are being harvested, but it can rot stems and cabbages in the
field in wet conditions.
Other plants that get the disease: It can attack all plants in the cabbage family. It
also causes fruit rot of marita. Other vegetables can be damaged.
Control:
1. Avoid harvesting cabbages when the crop is wet.
2. Handle harvested plants very carefully.
3. Don't cut a rotten plant then another cabbage with the same knife until it
is cleaned.
4. Old crops should be dug into the ground.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Plant pathogenic bacteria No. 552 1977
Persley, D.M., et al (eds), 1989, Fruit and Nut Crops - a disease management guide.
Queensland DPI Information Series QI 88018 p 27
Plant Pathology Note No 18 or Harvest 8(3) p141
Vock, N.T., 1978, A Handbook of plant diseases in colour Vol.1 Queensland DPI
88
Disease: Black leaf spot of cabbage
(Also on other cabbage family plants)
How the disease spreads: It is carried on seed. Spores can continue to live on
leaves for several weeks if they are dropped in gardens after harvest.
The damage: It can invade pods and cause a loss of seeds in a seed crop. It can
cause damping off of seedlings. It is more serious than Grey leaf spot.
Other plants that get the disease: Cabbage, cauliflower and probably other plants
in the cabbage family.
Control:
1. Seed treatment can be used. (Hot water at 50°C for 20-30 mins.)
2. Fungicides can be used eg mancozeb.
3. Remove infected old plants from the garden.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 163 1968 & map 457
89
Disease: Black rot of cabbage
(and other cabbage family plants)
(Also called Bacterial leaf scald)
How the disease spreads: The bacteria are spread by wind and rain. It can be
introduced in seed and can survive on old cabbage family plants. Plants damaged
by insects are more easily attacked. The disease can be spread by insects.
Other plants that get the disease: It damages cabbage family plants such as
cabbage, chinese cabbage, chinese radish, cauliflower, brussels sprouts etc.
Control:
1. Don't plant cabbage plants in the same area more often than two years
apart.
2. Treat seed if crop grown from seed. (In hot water at 50°C for 20-30 mins).
Only treat untreated and vigorous seed and just before planting.
3. Some kinds get less damage.
4. Keep seedlings well spaced.
5. Use sterile soil in seedbeds.
6. Get rid of seedling plants that are affected.
References:
CMI Description of Pathogenic bacteria No. 47 1965 and CMI Map 136
Graham, K.M., 1971, Plant Diseases of Fiji HMSO p 36
Plant pathology Note No 28 or Harvest 11(3) p 124
Talekar, N.S. & Griggs, T.D. (ed), Chinese Cabbage Proc 1st Int. Sympos. AVRDC p
176
90
Disease: Downy mildew cabbage
Scientific name: Peronospora parasitica (Pers.: Fr.)Fr.
How the disease spreads: The spores can spread with wind and water.
The damage: It is usually of little importance in the gardens but can be serious in
nurseries.
Other plants that get the disease: All cabbage family plants get the disease.
Control:
1. Seed bed areas need to be away from cabbage family plants.
2. Seedlings can be sprayed with fungicides.
References:
Persley, D.M. et al (eds), 1989, Vegetable Crops - a disease management guide.
Queensland DPI. Information Series QI 88019 p 25
Vock, N.T., 1978, A Handbook of Plant diseases in colour Vol 1 Queensland DPI
91
Disease: Grey leaf spot of cabbage
(Also called Alternaria blight and affects the cabbage family)
How the disease spreads: The disease can spread from old cabbage family plants.
It is also carried on seed.
Control:
1 Seed treatment is used in some places.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 162,1968 & Map 353
Talekar, N.S. & Griggs, T.D., (ed), 1981 Chinese Cabbage Proc. 1st Int. Sympos.
AVRDC p 176
92
Disease: Ring spot of cabbage
Scientific name: Mycosphaerella brassicicola
Synonym: Cercospora brassicicola Henn.
How the disease spreads: The disease spreads from old cabbage family plants.
They are carried by wind.
The damage: Leaves can be severely damaged as leaf spots enlarge and merge
into one another. Crop yields can be severely reduced and surviving crops may be
unsaleable because of their appearance.
Other plants that get the disease: In PNG it has been seen on cabbage and
Chinese cabbage but also gets on cauliflower and probably other cabbage family
plants.
Control:
1. Get rid of crop residues after harvesting.
2. Use clean areas for planting cabbages.
3. Chemical fungicides can be used.
References:
CMI Description of Pathogenic Fungi No 722 1982
Persley, D.M. et al (eds), 1989, Vegetable Crops - a disease management guide.
Queensland DPI Information Series QI 88019 p 25
Vock, N.T., 1978, A Handbook of plant diseases in colour Vol.1 Queensland DPI
93
Cassava diseases
Brown leaf spot Fungus Cercosporidium henningsii 94
Leaf spot Fungus Phyllosticta sp.
Blight leaf spot Fungus Colletotrichum capsici
or Tip die back
and Glomerella cingulata 95
Pink disease Fungus Phanerochaete salmonicolor 260
Associated with Fungus Dictyosporium toruloides
root rot
Collar rot Fungus Fusarium sp.
Root rot Fungus Helicobasidium purpureum
and Proboscispora manihotis
and Rigidoporus lignosus
Storage rots
94
Disease: Brown leaf spot of cassava
Scientific name: Mycosphaerella henningsii Sivan
Asexual: Cercosporidium henningsii (Allescher) Deighton
[Synonym: Cercospora henningsii Allesch]
How the disease spreads: The fungus can continue to live on old fallen leaves.
Spores blow in the wind and rain. They are produced on the lower leaf surface.
The damage: It does not get serious but the amount of food produced is less
because the leaves fall off early.
Other plants that get the disease: This disease only affects cassava.
Control:
1. Wider spacing of plants.
2. During the dry season badly diseased leaves can be removed to prevent
the disease spreading quickly when the rains start.
3. Crop rotations of 3 to 5 years help control.
4. Planting in the wet season so that crops are in the susceptible 6 to 8 month
old stage in the dry season helps.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 912 1987
Gerlach, W.W.O., 1988, Plant Disease of Western Samoa, GTZ pp56-57
Graham, K.M., 1971, Plant Diseases of Fiji HMSO p 202
Lozano, J.C. et al, 1976, Field problems in Cassava. CIAT p 24
Pest Control in Tropical Root Crops PANS Manual No4 p 97
95
Disease: Wither tip of cassava
(Also called Anthracnose and blight leaf spot)
How the disease spreads: Spores develop in warm wet conditions and are spread
by wind and wind-blown rain.
The damage:
Other plants that get the disease: A very large number of plants get anthracnose
from infection by this or similar fungi.
Control:
1. Avoid planting in the middle of the wet season.
2. Use healthy planting material.
References:
Lozano, J.C.& Booth, R.H., Diseases of cassava CIAT Series DE-5, p 29
Pest Control in Tropical Root crops PANS Manual No 4 p 104
96
Citrus diseases
Crop
Disease Cause Scientific name Page
Citron
Scab Fungus Sphaceloma fawcettii 103
Algal spot Alga Cephaleuros virescens 97
Clymenia citrus
Scab Fungus Sphaceloma fawcettii 103
Grapefruit
With leaf spot Fungus Glomerella cingulata 261
Algal leaf spot Alga Cephaleuros virescens 97
Bacterial canker Bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv citri 98
Citrus nematode Nematode Tylenchulus semipenetrans 101
Lemon
Leaf spots Fungi Ascochyta citri
and Glomerella cingulata 261
Scab Fungus Sphaceloma fawcettii 103
Pink disease Fungus Phanerochaete salmonicolor 260
Bacterial canker Bacterium Xanthomonas campestri pv citri 98
Lime
Sooty mould Fungus Meliola citricola 270
Pink disease Fungus Phanerochaete salmonicolor 260
Collar & root rot Fungus Phellinus noxius
Bacterial canker Bacteria Xanthomonas campestris pv citri 98
Mandarin
Sooty mould Fungus Meliola citricola 270
Pink crust of stems Fungus Podonectria sp.
Orange
Scab Fungus Sphaceloma fawcettii 103
Pink disease Fungus Phanerochaete salmonicolor 260
Citrus nematode Nematode Tylenchulus semipenetrans 101
Pomelo
Collar rot Fungus Athelia rolfsii 262
On citrus fruit
Blue mould Fungus Penicillium digitatum 100
Green mould Fungus Penicillium italicum 101
On citrus in general
Melanose Fungus Diaporthe citri 94
97
Disease: Algal spot of Citrus
Scientific name: Cephaleuros virescens Kunze
How the disease spreads: This alga is very common in the rainforest and can
spread from many trees. It occurs on cocoa, guava, coffee, vanilla and many other
perennial crops.
The damage: Unlike diseases caused by fungi and bacteria the algae that cause
leaf spots do not feed off the host plant but obtain their food in the same way as
other plants by using light energy from the sun. The algal leaf spots prevent light
getting to the leaves of the host plant in severe attacks and may reduce growth.
Other plants that get the disease: A wide range of perennial crops get the disease
mainly in hot, wet lowland conditions.
(See also page 257.)
References:
Gerlach, W.W.P., 1988, Plant Diseases of Western Samoa, GTZ pp 108-109
98
Disease: Bacterial canker of Citrus
Scientific name: Xanthomonas campestris (Pammel) Dowson
[Synonym: Xanthomonas citri (Hasse) Dowson]
How the disease spreads: The disease mostly spreads by rain washing bacteria off
diseased leaves onto new leaves. The bacteria can live on old citrus wood for long
periods.
The damage: It badly affects production of good citrus. It causes unsightly spots
on fruit and also causes fruit to drop off and leaves to fall off early. Some other
diseases produce symptoms that can easily be mistaken for citrus canker. You
should ask your didiman for advice if you think your citrus has this disease.
Other plants that get the disease: Grapefruit gets the disease badly, sweet orange
and lime moderately and lemon and mandarin get little disease. Citron gets little
damage.
Control:
1. Grow kinds of citrus that get the disease less.
References:
Graham, K.M., 1971, Plant Diseases of Fiji HMSO p 52
99
Disease: Blue mould of Citrus
Scientific name: Penicillium italicum Wehm
Control:
1. Avoid damaging the skin of the fruit.
2. Remove diseased fruit.
3. Chemical dips can be used.
4. Pick fruit when it is dry.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 99 1966
Graham, K.M., 1971, Plant Diseases of Fiji, HMSO p51
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops Cambridge p 299
100
Disease: Green mould of Citrus
Scientific name: Penicillium digitatum Saccardo
How the disease spreads: It particularly spreads by contact between fruit. The
disease spreads in the same way as blue mould, infecting only damaged fruit.
Control:
1. Avoid damaging the skin of the fruit.
2. Remove diseased fruit.
3. Chemical dips can be used.
4. Pick fruit when it is dry.
References:
CMI Description of Plant Pathogenic Fungi No 96 1966
Graham, K.M., 1971, Plant Diseases of Fiji, HMSO p51
101
Disease: Citrus nematode
Scientific name: Tylenchulus semipenetrans
How the disease spreads: The nematodes can only get into the soil in an area by
being brought in on the planting material or in soil brought into the area. They can
wash down hill in the rain. Spread of nematodes through the soil is slow and not
more than about 1.5 to 2.0 cm per month when roots of adjacent citrus trees are in
contact.
The damage: Plants grow less well and produce less fruit. Leaves may turn yellow
and fall early. Twigs may die back and yields may be reduced to unprofitable
levels.
Other plants that get the disease: No other plants have been recorded as
susceptible to this nematode in PNG. In other countries nematode has been
recorded on grapevine, olive, lilac as well as a number of other plants.
Control:
1. Make sure all planting material is free of nematodes.
2. Don't plant new trees down hill from infected trees.
3. Don't replant citrus in old infected areas.
4. Grafted trees on resistant rootstocks should be used.
5. A fallow of 2 years without citrus trees should be allowed before
replanting.
6. Good care of trees reduces the damage.
References:
Agrios, G.N., 1978, Plant Pathology p 638-639
102
Disease: Melanose of Citrus
Scientific name: Diaporthe medusaea Nits
[Synonym: Diaporthe citri Wolf]
Asexual: Phomopsis cytosporella Penz & Sacc
[Synonym: Phomopsis citri Fawcett]
How the disease spreads: The fungus particularly spreads from dead wood. It is
washed by water. The disease attacks new leaves and young twigs and fruit.
The damage: The leaves are distorted and can fall off early. It gets into the stem
end of the fruit and causes stored fruit to rot.
Other plants that get the disease: It occurs on lime, sour orange, pomelo, lemon,
mandarin, and orange. It can also damage avocado, mango, pawpaw and other
plants.
Control:
1. Prune and burn all dead wood.
2. It can be controlled with chemical fungicides (Copper sprays).
3. Cut out infected branches and get rid of rotten fruit.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 396, 1973 & Map 126
Cook, A.A., 1975, Diseases of Tropical & Sub Tropical fruits & nuts Hafner p 114
Graham, K.M., 1971, Plant Diseases of Fiji. HMSO p 61
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops Cambridge p 128
Kranz, J., et al, (eds), 1977, Diseases, Pests & Weeds in Tropical Crops Verlag Paul Parey p 108
Another fungal disease called Leaf spot of lemon (Also called Ascochyta leaf spot citrus) is
caused by the fungus Ascochyta citri Penz.
103
Disease: Scab of Citrus
Scientific name: Elsinoe fawcettii Bitanc & Jenk.
Asexual: Sphaceloma fawcettii Jenkins
How the disease spreads: The small spores wash off diseased leaves in the rain and these can
be spread around by wind.
The damage: Leaves are distorted and young trees can die. Fruit are made unattractive.
Other plants that get the disease: Bush lemon, sour orange and Clymenia.
Control:
1. It can be controlled by spraying a chemical called Bordeaux at times when trees are
undergoing rapid new growth.
2. Sweet orange and lime tend to be resistant to the disease. Also resistant varieties of the
other fruits occur.
3. It is important to get rid of old diseased leaves, fruit and branches.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 438, 1974 Map 161 & 125
Cook, A.A., 1975, Diseases of Tropical & Subtropical fruits & nuts Hafner p 116
Graham, K.M., 1971, Plant Diseases of Fiji HMSO p 65
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops Cambridge p 147
Kranz, J. et al, (eds), 1977, Diseases of Tropical Crops VPP p 108
Vock, N.T., 1978, A Handbook of plant diseases in colour Vol 1 Queensland DPI
104
Coconut diseases
How the disease spreads: The fungus is common on rotting trees. It can attack old
coconut stumps. When new palms are planted near these the fungus spreads via the
roots. Often the new palm does not show damage for 10-15 years.
The damage: This type of fungus is common in forests on old rotting trees.
Affected palms can die in 6 -12 months.
Other plants that get the disease: Oil palm and other rotting tree stumps.
Control:
1. Fungicides that move inside plants (systemic) have so far failed to stop
this disease causing palms to die.
2. It is important to get rid of all likely infected stumps before re-planting
old plantations.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 445, 1975
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungus disease of Tropical crops. Cambridge. p 198-200
Kranz, J., et al, (eds), 1977, Diseases, Pests & Weeds in Tropical Crops Verlag Paul
Parey.p 156-158
106
Disease: Brown root rot of coconut
Scientific name: Phellinus noxius (Corner) G.H. Cunn.
[Synonym: Fomes noxius Corner]
How the disease spreads: Spores can blow in the wind. The disease takes 1 to 3
years before the palm is killed.
The damage: The disease infects stumps of felled trees left in the ground. It grows
down through these stumps into the roots and generally infects other trees growing
close by spreading from root to root.
Other plants that get the disease: It also attacks oil palm. It can attack avocado,
cacao, coffee, rubber, kapok, mandarin, mangosteen, rambutan and other trees.
Control:
1. Spots need to be found early and cut out. The area needs to then be treated
with coal tar.
2. Dead palms should be removed, including all infected roots.
References:
CMI Description of Pathogenic Fungi No. 195, 1968
Kranz, J., et al, (eds), 1977, Diseases, Pests & Weeds in Tropical Crops Verlag Paul
Parey p 162
107
Disease: Bud rot of coconut
Scientific name: Phytophthora palmivora (Butler) Butler
How the disease spreads: The fungus often occurs around the roots of coconuts
and may spread from here. The disease mostly starts following damage to the
young nuts.
Other plants that get the disease: It attacks cacao (Black pod), rubber (black
stripe), pawpaw (fruit rot) and over 135 other plants.
References:
CMI Descriptions of pathogenic Fungi No 831, 1985.
Krantz, J et al, (eds), 1977, Diseases, Pests and Weeds in Tropical Crops Verlag Paul
Parey p 121
108
Disease: Drechslera leaf spot of coconut
Scientific name: Bipolaris incurvata (Ch.Bernard) Alcorn
Asexual: Drechslera incurvata (Ch.Bernard) M.B.Ellis
[Synonym: Helminthosporium incurvatum Ch.Bernard.]
The damage:
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 342, 1972
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops Cambridge p 143
109
Disease: Grey leaf spot of coconut
Scientific name: Pestalotiopsis palmarum (Cooke) Steyaert
Synonym: Pestalotia palmarum Cooke
How the disease spreads: The fungus spores blow in the wind then grow and
penetrate the upper surface of the leaf.
Other plants that get the disease: It also gets on Betel nut and Oil palm.
References:
Brown, J.S., 1975, Isolation and inoculation with Pestalotiopsis palmarum Papua New
Guinea Agric. J. 26:31
CIM Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 319, 1971
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops Cambridge p 313-314
110
Disease: Stem bleeding of coconut
(Stem bleeding can have other causes.)
How the disease spreads: The fungus occurs very widely. It is spread through
soil and plant remains.
The damage:
Other plants that get the disease: It causes pineapple disease of sugarcane. The
fungus can attack pineapples, bananas, betel nut palms, oil palm, sweet potato,
sorghum, cacao and corn.
Control:
1. Avoid damaging the trunks of coconuts.
References:
CMI Descriptions of pathogenic Fungi No. 143, 1967
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops Cambridge p 62-64
Kranz, J., et al, (eds), 1977, Diseases, Pests & Weeds of Tropical crops Verlag Paul
Parey p 102-104
111
How the disease spreads: In the tropics it can spread between corn plants without
Oxalis alternate host. It can blow in the wind, spread with seed or on diseased
plant material.
The damage: Leaves can go yellow and die. It does not greatly affect yield as the
disease mostly occurs after cobs are developing.
Other plants that get the disease: This disease is specific to corn.
Control:
1. Use kinds of corn that get the disease less.
2. Chemical fungicides are of little use.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 3, 1964
Kranz, J., et al (eds), 1977, Diseases, Pests & Weeds in Tropical Crops Verlag Paul
Parey p 164
Vock, N.T., 1978, A Handbook of Plant Diseases in colour Vol 2 Queensland DPI
113
Disease: Corn blister smut
Scientific name: Ustilago zeae (Beckm.)Unger
[Synonym: Ustilago maydis (Dc)Cda]
How the disease spreads: The fungal spores are highly resistant and can last in
the soil for many years. They can germinate quickly and re-infect plants. The
spores in the galls on the plant are blown by the wind. The fungus can live on dead
plant material and manure in the soil.
Other plants that get the disease: The disease is specific to corn.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 79, 1965 and Map 93
Plant pathology note 1 Harvest 5(4) p 248
114
Disease: Corn Leaf Blight
Scientific names:
Sexual: Setosphaerica turcica (Luttrell) Leon. & Sugg
[Synonym: Trichometasphaeria turcica (Pass.)Lutt.]
Asexual: Exserohilum turcicum
[Synonym: Drechslera turcica (Pass.) Subram et Jain]
[Synonym: Helminthosporium turcicum Pass.]
How the disease spreads: The spores can live for several months on crop remains
left after the corn has been harvested. They get blown around in the wind. The
disease also can attack wild sorghum grasses.
The damage: Plants that are infected by the disease early in their growth can be
badly damaged with an important loss in yield.
Other plants that get the disease: Several sorghum family grasses
Control:
1. Getting rid of corn plants after the corn has been picked.
2. Crop rotation.
3. Use of resistant kinds of corn.
4. Treatment of seeds with fungicide chemical
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 304, 1971
De Leon, C., 1978, Maize diseases CIMMYT Info Bull No 11 p 33
Kranz, J., et al(eds), 1977, Diseases, Pests & Weeds in Tropical Crops Verlag Paul Parey
p 140
115
Disease: Downy mildew of Corn
Scientific name: Peronosclerospora sacchari (T Miyake) Shir.& Hara
(Also Sorghum downy mildew Peronosclerospora sorghi (Weston and Uppal) Shaw.)
How the disease spreads: The disease spreads by spores from diseased leaves.
Control:
1. Get rid of diseased plants
References:
CMI Descriptions of Plant pathogenic fungi no. 453, 1975 and map 21
De Leon, C., 1978, Maize diseases A guide for field identification CIMMYT Info. Bull
No 11 2nd ed. p 6
Graham, K.M., 1971, Plant Diseases of Fiji HMSO p 135
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops Cambridge p 454
116
Disease: Southern leaf blight of Corn
Scientific name: Bipolaris maydis (Nisik. & Miyake) Shoem
[Synonym: Cochliobolus heterostrophus (Drech) Drech.]
Asexual: Drechslera maydis (Nisik.) Subram. & Jain
The names of this group of fungi are at present being revised. Probably Bipolaris zeae Sivan is
included here.
How the disease spreads: It is assumed the fungus blows in the wind. It can also
be spread on seed. The fungus can survive in moist soil for about 12 months.
The damage: It can reduce the harvest of cobs and this is worse if the fungus gets
onto the cobs.
Other plants that get the disease: It can occur on sorghum and other grasses.
Control:
1. Some kinds of corn get the disease less.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Plant pathogenic Fungi No 301, 1971 & Distribution Map 346
117
Disease: Grey leaf spot of sorghum and Corn
Scientific name: Cercospora sorghi Ell. & Ev.
How the disease spreads: The fungal spores blow in the wind.
Other plants that get the disease: It mainly gets on sorghum and sorghum
grasses but sometimes attacks corn.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 419, 1974 and Map 338
118
Disease: Leaf spot of corn
Scientific name: Mycosphaerella holci Tehon
Asexual: Phoma sorghina (Sacc.) B, D, & K
[Synonym: Phyllosticta sorghina Sacc.]
How the disease spreads: It can live on plant remains and weeds for up to 2 years.
It can be spread with seed. It can blow in the wind and rain.
The damage:
Damage to seedlings can be severe.
Other plants that get the disease: It can row on rice, sugarcane and pitpit, corn,
and some other grasses.
Control:
1. Clean seed should be used or seed treated.
2. Crop remains should be removed from old gardens.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No. 584, 1978
119
Disease: Head smut corn & Sorghum
Scientific name: Sphacelotheca reiliana (Kuhn) Clint.
How the disease spreads: It can be spread on the seed but is mostly spread from
the soil. Plants get infected when they are seedlings. This fungus can hybridise
with covered smut of sorghum (Sphacelotheca sorghi). They can occur on wild
grasses.
The damage:
With sorghum it can be serious.
Other plants that get the disease: It can occur on sorghum, corn and some other
related grasses.
Control:
1. Crop rotation is important.
2. Wild grasses that could carry the disease must also be avoided in or near
gardens.
References:
CMI Description of Plant Pathogenic Fungi No 73, 1965 and Distribution Map 69
120
Disease: Tropical rust of Corn
Scientific name: Puccinia polysora Underw.
How the disease spreads: It can spread for short distances in the air. It can spread
with diseased plants.
Control:
1. Use of varieties that get the disease less.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 4, 1964
De Leon, C., 1978, Maize Diseases CIMMYT p 16
Kranz, J., et al (eds), 1977, Diseases, Pests & Weeds in Tropical Crops Verlag Paul Parey
p 164
121
Leek
Leaf blight Fungus Alternaria porri 114
Onion
Leaf tip withering Fungus Alternaria porri 114
Smudge Fungus Colletotrichum circinans 116
Soft rot Bacterium Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora
and Pseudomonas cepacia
Shallot
Leaf tip burn Fungus Alternaria porri 114
Leaf tip wither Fungus Botryotinia fuckeliana 115
Smudge Fungus Colletotrichum circinans 116
122
Disease: Leaf blight of leek
(Also causes leaf spot onion and called purple blotch)
Other plants that get the disease: Also affects bunching onion, onion, and
shallot.
Control:
1. Get rid of old onion plant remains.
2. It can be controlled with chemical fungicides.
References:
Persley, D.M. et al (eds), 1989, Vegetable Crops - a disease management guide
Queensland DPI Information Series QI 88019 p 46
123
Disease: Leaf tip wither of shallot
Scientific name: Asexual: Botrytis cinerea Pers. ex Fries
Sexual: Botryotinia fuckeliana (de Bary) Fuckel
[Synonym: Sex. Sclerotinia fuckeliana (de Bary) Whetz]
How the disease spreads: Spores (conidia) can be carried by wind or splashed by
rain from old plant parts or diseased plants.
The damage:
Other plants that get the disease: The fungus affects a large number of plants. It
causes grey mould of beans, soft rot of strawberries and vegetables.
Control:
1. Use wider spacing.
2. Try not to damage plants.
3. Remove old diseased plants.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 431, 1974
124
Disease: Smudge of onions
Scientific name: Colletotrichum circinans (Berk.) Vogl.
How the disease spreads: The disease can survive in the soil on onion remains.
Control:
1. Brown skinned types get much less disease.
2. Store onions under cool dry conditions.
References:
Persley, D.M. et al (eds), 1989, Vegetable Crops - a disease management guide
Queensland DPI Information Series QI 88019 p 46
125
Pandanus diseases - marita and karuka
Diseases of Pandanus
Disease Cause Scientific name Page
Karuka
Black leaf mould Fungus Lembosia pandani 119
Sooty mould Fungus Meliola juttingii
Large leaf spot
Leaf spot
Yellow spot mosaic Probably virus
On seeds Fungus Macrophoma pandani
On rotting flowers Fungus Rhizopus stolonifer
Marita
Leaf spot
Fruit rot Bacterium Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora 118
Black leaf mould Fungus Lembosia pandani 119
126
Disease: Bacterial rot of marita
Scientific name: Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora
How the disease spreads: It would have to spread by contact from infected
plants.
Other plants that get the disease: It also attacks the leaves of karuka. The same
bacterium causes rots of potato, cabbage, lettuce, banana and some other
vegetables.
References:
Tomlinson, D.L., 1988, A leaf and fruit disease of Pandanus conoideus caused by Erwinia
carotovora subsp. carotovora in Papua New Guinea. Journal of Phytopathology 121(1), 19-25
127
Disease: Black leaf mould of Karuka
(Also on marita)
The cause:
The damage:
Other plants that get the disease: Marita and other pandanus.
Control:
References:
128
Banana passionfruit
Fruit spots Fungus Colletotrichum sp.
Granadilla
Stem death Fungus Glomerella cingulata
Chlorotic spot Virus Chlorotic spot virus 122
Passionfruit
Brown leaf spot Fungus Alternaria passiflorae 121
Seedling wilt Fungus Phytophthora nicotianae 123
Blight of flowers Fungus Aspergillus sp.
Fruit rot Fungus Fusarium sp.
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne javanica 255
129
Disease: Brown spot of Passionfruit
Scientific name: Alternaria passiflorae J.H.Simmonds
How the disease spreads: The spores are spread by wind and rain. The disease
can spread from the weed passionflower (Passiflora foetida).
Other plants that get the disease: The disease also infects granadilla.
Control:
1. Prune plants to avoid overcrowding.
2. Remove dead leaves and ripe fruit from the ground.
3. It can be controlled with a chemical fungicide (maneb).
4. Remove passionflower weed plants.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 247, 1970 & Map 479
Graham, K.M., 1971, Plant Diseases of Fiji HMSO p 154
Vock, N.T., 1978, A Handbook of Plant diseases in colour Vol 1 Queensland DPI
130
Disease: Chlorotic spot of passionfruit
(Also on Granadilla)
The damage:
Control:
References:
131
Disease: Phytophthora blight of passionfruit
(Also called seedling wilt)
How the disease spreads: It initially splashes onto lower leaves from the soil.
The damage: Seedlings can die. Mature plants that are infected with collar rot
wilt, turn yellow and lose their leaves. The bark just above the soil level may split,
revealing a reddish brown rot moving up the plant from soil level.
Other plants that get the disease: It is a common fungus. It can grow on
pineapple, strawberry, citrus, tomato and tobacco.
Control:
1. Prune vines to make them less crowded.
2. Grow grass under the vines.
3. Fungicides can be used.
References:
Graham, K.M., 1971, Plant Disease of Fiji, HMSO p 154
Vock, N.T., 1978, A handbook of plant diseases in colour Vol 1 Queensland DPI
132
Diseases of pawpaw
The damage:
Leaf stalks may rot, young stems may rot at the end and plants can actually
die back. Flowers may fall off and young fruits die. Fruit may continue to rot
after harvest.
Other plants that get the disease: The disease only affects pawpaw.
Control:
1. Remove and burn infected material.
2. Fungicides can be used.
3. Fruit after harvest can be put in hot water at 33°C for 20 minutes to stop
infected fruit rotting.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 984, 1990
The fungus Cercospora papayae is also recorded from Papua New Guinea and probably does
similar damage.
134
Disease: Pawpaw mosaic
Scientific name:
The damage:
Affected trees are of little use.
Control:
References:
Vock, N.T., 1978, A Handbook of Plant Diseases in Colour Vol 1 Queensland DPI
135
Disease: Powdery mildew pawpaw
Scientific name: Oidium sp.
How the disease spreads: The disease spreads with the fungal spores blowing in
the wind and rain.
The damage: It is mainly a disease of seedlings that are planted too close together.
Other plants that get the disease: Only pawpaw will be infected with this
particular species of fungus.
Control:
1. Use wider spacing in nurseries.
2. Treat with a sulphur fungicide. (Sulphur dust can be used but can damage
leaves when the temperature in above 24°C).
References:
136
Disease: Root rot of pawpaw
Scientific name: Phytophthora palmivora (E Butler) E Butler
Often Pythium sp. fungi are also involved.
How the disease spreads: Spores can spread by wind and rain. It can survive in
the soil.
Other plants that get the disease: A large number of plants can be damaged eg
pawpaw, coconut (bud rot), tomato, oil palm, rubber, cacao (black pod) etc.
Control:
1. Avoid wet areas.
2. Do not replant pawpaws into soil where the disease is known to occur.
3. Plant only disease free trees from a nursery that has clean soil.
4. Avoid damage to pawpaw trunks as this reduces trunk rot.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 831, 1985
Holliday, 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops CUP p 83
137
Disease: Shothole of pawpaw
(Also called Brown spot.)
How the disease spreads: It can be carried on seed or can live on old diseased
plant parts for up to 2 years. The spores can blow in the wind.
Other plants that get the disease: The same fungus also gets on tomatoes,
eggplant, watermelon, melon, banana, daka, castor oil plant, soya bean, cowpea
and some flowering plants. It has been recorded causing a leaf spot on sweet
potato.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 303, 1971
Graham, K.M., 1971, Plant Diseases of Fiji HMSO p 152
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungal Diseases of Tropical Crops Cambridge p 114
Other leaf spots due to Phyllosticta sp. fungus probably also cause similar spots with a hole in
the centre.
138
Peanut diseases
Disease Cause Scientific name Page
How the disease spreads: The bacteria can spread in soil or by water running
down hill from an infected area.
The damage:
It affects plants by blocking the conducting cells that allow water to pass up
the plant. Plants wilt and die.
Other plants that get the disease: This bacterium affects many different plants
including tomato, potato, eggplant and occasionally capsicum in PNG.
Control:
1. Avoid infected soils.
2. Don't plant crops that can be damaged downhill from infected crops.
3. For most crops resistant varieties have been developed.
References:
CMI Description of Plant pathogenic bacteria No 15, 1964
Plant pathology Note No.15 of Harvest 7(4) p180
Tomlinson, D.L., Mogistein, M., 1989, Occurrence of bacterial wilt of peanut (Arachis
hypogaea) caused by Pseudomonas solanacearum and opportunistic infection of aibika
(Abelmoschus manihot) in Papua New Guinea Plant Pathology 38(2), 287-289
140
Disease: Collar rot of peanuts
(Also called Aspergillus crown rot peanuts)
How the disease spreads: The fungus lives in the soil and on rotting plant
materials. Seeds can also be infected and often carry the disease. The fungus is
common in soil. It gets most serious where peanuts are grown in the same area for
several crops.
Other plants that get the disease: Many other plants can be infected by this
disease. It can be particularly troublesome as a storage disease on some crops.
Control:
1. Don't plant seed too deeply.
2. Use good quality undamaged seeds.
3. Chemical seed dressings can be used.
4. Crop rotation or moving garden sites is important.
5. Remove old plant rubbish (not only peanut plants).
6. Be careful not to damage growing plants.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 94, 1966
Graham, K.M., 1971, Plant Diseases of Fiji HMSO p 161
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops Cambridge p 40
Pest Control in Groundnuts PANS Manual No 2 p 31
Vock, N.T., 1978, A handbook of plant diseases in colour Vol 2 Queensland DPI
141
Disease: Peanut leaf spot
(Also called early and late leaf spot of peanuts)
How the disease spreads: The disease can live on old plants and peanut rubbish.
The damage: Leaves can fall off early and less peanuts are then harvested.
Other plants that get the disease: This disease only affects peanuts.
Control:
1. Remove old peanut plants.
2. Plant peanuts in different areas each time.
3. Wider spacing
4. Chemical fungicides can be used.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi Nos. 411, 412, 1974 and Maps 166, 152
Graham, K.M., 1971, Plant Diseases of Fiji HMSO p 164
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops Cambridge p 271
Kranz, J., et al (eds), 1977, Diseases, Pests & Weeds in Tropical Crops Verlag Paul
Parey p 127
Pest Control in groundnuts PANS Manual No 2
142
Disease: Peanut marginal chlorosis
Scientific name: Peanut marginal leaf chlorosis virus
How the disease spreads: The virus spreads in the seeds. No insects appear to be
involved. The disease can be transmitted by grafting and could possibly be
transmitted by plants rubbing together.
The damage: The plant produces less nuts than normal. (About half)
Other plants that get the disease: No other plants get this disease.
References:
PANS Manual No 2, 1973, Pest Control in Groundnuts London p 78
143
Disease: Peanut mild mottle
Scientific name: Cowpea mild mottle virus of peanuts
How the disease spreads: This disease can be spread by being in the seed before
they are planted or it can be spread between plants by a small sap sucking insect
called the tobacco whitefly.
Other plants that get the disease: This virus disease can occur on many different
bean family plants.
Control:
1. Pull out and burn diseased plants.
2. Other bean family plants should be checked and either removed if
diseased or kept at a distance from peanut plants.
3. Do not use seed from infected plants.
4. Whitefly can be controlled by insecticides.
References:
Philemon, E.C., Harvest 12(4) p 15 or Plant Pathology Note No 32
144
Disease: Peanut rust
Scientific name: Puccinia arachidis Speg
[Synonyms: Uredo arachidis Lagerh.
and Uromyces arachidis P. Henn.]
The damage: Leaves and plants can die. It gets worse as plants get near maturity.
Other plants that get the disease: The disease only affects peanut.
Control:
1. Some varieties get less disease.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 53, 1965 and Map 160
Pest Control in Groundnuts PANS Manual No 2 p 27
145
Disease: Pepper spot & scorch of peanuts
Scientific name: Leptosphaerulina trifolii (Rostrup) Petrak
The damage: Severely affected leaves can turn yellow and drop off.
Other plants that get the disease: A number of other plants get the disease
although in these plants it is less severe than in peanut. In highlands PNG the
white potato often gets the disease.
Control:
1. It can be controlled with fungicide chemicals.
References:
Vock, N.T., 1978, A handbook of plant diseases in colour Vol 2 Queensland DPI
146
Disease: Stem rot of peanuts
(Also called Sclerotium crown rot)
Scientific name: Athelia rolfsii (Curzi) Tu & Kimbrough
[Synonym: Corticium rolfsii (Sacc.) Curzi
and Pellicularia rolfsii (Curzi) West]
Asexual: Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc.
How the disease spreads: The fungus can live in the soil for several years. The
fungus spreads in moist weather and can grown over the surface of the soil. It
mainly spreads on plant remains but can also spread on seed and on tools.
The damage: Whole plants or single runners can die. Pegs carrying the peanuts
may rot off so that the nuts stay in the ground.
Other plants that get the disease: Cabbage, beans, capsicum, giant taro,
artichoke, lettuce, naranjilla, pawpaw, peanut, peas, pomelo, potato, rice, corn,
sugarcane, sunflower, sweet potato, tomato, pepper and many other plants.
Control:
1. Improve drainage.
2. Grow the crop well by careful planting, good weeding, careful digging.
3. Use resistant varieties. Runner types of peanuts get less damage.
4. Use good crop rotations.
5. The disease gets worse where leaf spot has been bad.
6. Harvest as soon as the crop is ready.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 410, 1974
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops Cambridge p 110
Kranz, J., et al (eds) 1977, Diseases, Pests & Weeds of Tropical Crops p 148
Pest Control in Groundnuts PANS Manual No 2 p 39
Vock, N.T., (Ed), A Handbook of Plant Diseases in colour Vol 2 Queensland DPI
147
Potato diseases
How the disease spreads: It is spread with the tubers used for planting. It can be
spread with soil. It can spread between plants touching together. The bacteria may
survive in the soil and in roots of weeds for long periods.
The damage: It is a serious disease killing the plants and the crop. It stays in the
ground preventing re-planting.
Other plants that get the disease: It can attack bananas, tomatoes, capsicums and
a number of other plants. It has not been recorded on bananas in PNG.
Control:
1. Use healthy planting material.
2. Rotate gardens.
3. Space potato plants widely or mix them up with other plants.
4. Don't cut potato setts at planting.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi & Bacteria No 15, 1964 & Map 138
Tomlinson, D., Plant Pathology Note 15 Harvest 7(4) p 180.
149
Disease: Common scab of Potato
Scientific name: Streptomyces scabies (Thaxt.) Waka. & Henr.
How the disease spreads: The fungus lives in the soil and on tubers. It spreads in
soil water and in the air by wind. The fungus can live for many years in the soil.
The damage: Only the skin on the surface is damaged affecting the look of the
potatoes.
Other plants that get the disease: Other Streptomyces species attack some other
root crops.
References:
Graham, K.M., 1971, Plant Diseases of Fiji. HMSO. p 175.
150
Disease: Dry rot & Fusarium wilt of potatoes
Scientific name: Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht.ex Fries
How the disease spreads: The fungus lives in the soil on dead plant tissue.
The damage: The conducting tissue of the plant is blocked so that it wilts and falls
over.
Other plants that get the disease: A different strain of the same fungus attacks
banana, tomato, sweet potato, peanut, oil palm, sorghum and maize.
Control:
1. Use resistant varieties.
2. Avoid damage to plants.
3. Don't plant infected tubers.
4. Store potatoes under cool well ventilated conditions.
5. Rotate potato crops with other crops.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 211, 1970
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops Cambridge p 164
151
Disease: Late blight of potato
(Also called Irish blight)
How the disease spreads: The disease mostly spreads by the spores blowing in
the wind and rain on wet warm overcaste days.
Control:
1. Planting potatoes mixed with other crops in a garden is important.
2. Some varieties of potatoes get the disease less.
3. Crops can be sprayed but this must be done before the disease arrives.
References:
CMI Distribution Map 109
152
Disease: Leaf roll of potatoes
Scientific name: Potato leaf roll virus
How the disease spreads: The disease can be in the potato tubers that are planted.
Aphids can spread the disease between plants. The symptoms of the disease are
less obvious when temperatures are cool and when plants are growing well.
Other plants that get the disease: No other plants get the disease.
Control:
1. Use potato tubers that do not have the disease.
References:
Vock, N.T., 1978, A handbook of plant diseases in colour Vol 2 Queensland DPI
153
Disease: Potato virus x
Scientific name: Potato virus x
How the disease spreads: The disease is often carried in the tubers. It can be
spread by contact through plants rubbing together. It can also spread where there
is regular damage to plants through implements or tools and where plants are close
together.
Other plants that get the disease: The disease only affects potato.
Control:
1. Use potato tubers that don't have the disease.
References:
154
Disease: Potato virus y
Scientific name: Potato virus y
Other plants that get the disease: The disease only affects potato.
Control:
1. Avoid planting potato tubers that have the disease.
2. Plant potatoes in windy places where aphids are less common.
3. Use varieties that get less disease.
References:
155
Disease: Powdery scab potato
Scientific name: Spongospora subterranea (Wallr.)Lagerh f.sp. subterranea
How the disease spreads: The fungus spreads with the tubers. It can live in the
soil for many years.
Other plants that get the disease: No other plants get the disease.
Control:
1. Plant disease free potato tubers.
2. Plant varieties that get less disease.
3. Don't re-plant potatoes in soil known to be infected.
4. Fungicide dipping of seed for planting can be used.
References:
Vock, N.T., 1978, A handbook of plant diseases in colour Vol 2 Queensland DPI
156
Disease: Target spot of potato
(Also called Early Blight of Potatoes)
How the disease spreads: The fungus can live on old plants for several years
under cool conditions. The disease is spread by wind and rain.
The damage: The leaves can die and the whole plant may die early. A dark rot can
damage the tubers.
Other plants that get the disease: Tomatoes and other plants in the tomato/potato
family can get the disease. Sometimes cabbage family plants can also be damaged.
Control:
1. Keep areas clean from old potato plants.
2. Some kinds of potatoes are more resistant so get the disease less.
3. It can be stopped by using chemicals called fungicides. (They must be on
the plants before the disease arrives.)
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 475 1975 & Map 89
Graham, K.M., 1971, Plant Diseases of Fiji HMSO p 173
Kranz, J., et al (eds), 1977, Diseases, Pests & Weeds in Tropical Crops Verlag Paul
Parey p 186
157
Disease: Verticillium wilt of potato
Scientific name: Verticillium albo-atrum Reinke & Berthold
How the disease spreads: The fungus lives in the soil on dead plant material. It
normally spreads on infected plants and as soil is dug or moved.
Other plants that get the disease: Plants in the potato family (Solanaceae) get the
disease.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 255, 1970
158
Bitter cucumber
Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora citrullina 161
Powdery mildew Fungus Oidium sp. 164
Downy mildew Fungus Pseudoperonospora cubensis 160
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita 271
and Meloidogyne javanica 271
Bottle gourd
Powdery mildew Fungus Oidium sp. 164
Anthracnose Fungus Colletotrichum orbiculare 162
Choko
Leaf spot Fungus Ascochyta sp.
Leaf blotch
Soft rot Bacterium Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora 262
Cucumber
Leaf spot Fungus Alternaria alternata
Leaf spot Fungus Corynespora cassiicola
Fruit rot Fungus Choanephora cucurbitarum 267
Powdery mildew Fungus Oidium sp. 164
Downy mildew Fungus Pseudoperonospora cubensis 160
Leaf spot Fungus Phyllosticta sp.
Damping off Fungi Pythium butleri 265
and Pythium deliense
Fruit rot Bacterium Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora 262
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita 271
Storage rot Fungus Colletotrichum sp.
and Fusarium sp.
and Phoma exigua
and Pythium sp. 265
Melon (Rockmelon)
Black rot Fungus Mycosphaerella melonis
Powdery mildew Fungus Oidium sp. 164
Downy mildew Fungus Pseudoperonospora cubensis 160
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita 271
Pumpkin
Storage rot Fungus Colletotrichum orbiculare 162
Sooty mould Fungus Epicoccum sp.
Powdery mildew Fungus Erysiphe cichoracearum 164
Downy mildew Fungus Pseudoperonospora cubensis 160
With storage rot Fungus Rhizoctonia sp. 266
Mosaic Virus Melon mosaic virus 163
Snake gourd
Leaf spot Fungus Colletotrichum orbiculare 162
Leaf spot Possibly bacterial
Watermelon
Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora citrullina 161
Leaf spot Fungus Colletotrichum orbiculare 162
and Leptosphaerulina trifolii
Black rot Fungus Mycosphaerella melonis
Powdery mildew Fungus Oidium sp. 164
Damping off Fungus Pythium irregulare 265
Mosaic Probably virus 163
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita 271
Zucchini
Leaf spot Fungus Alternaria cucumerina
Fruit rot Fungus Choanephora sp. 267
Powdery mildew Fungus Erysiphe cichoracearum 164
Storage rot Fungus Fusarium sp.
Downy mildew Fungus Pseudoperonospora cubensis 160
160
Disease: Downy mildew of Pumpkins
Scientific name: Pseudoperonospora cubensis (Berk. & Curt.) Rostov.
How the disease spreads: Small purple spores from the leaves are carried by wind
to healthy wet leaves. These spores mostly develop at night.
The damage: Plants are stunted and can die. Fruits are small and poorly
flavoured.
Other plants that get the disease: Pumpkin, cucumber, bitter cucumber,
rockmelon, squash, watermelon, bottle gourd, smooth and angled loofah and
Tricosanthes.
Control:
1. Rotate pumpkin family plants with other crops.
2. Some varieties get the disease less. Plant these where possible.
3. It can be controlled by chemical fungicides. (Mancozeb). Both sides of
leaves must be sprayed.
4. Try to put new plants at a distance from old plants and get rid of old
diseased plants.
5. Use wider spacing and avoid shady places.
References:
Graham, K.M., 1971, Plant Diseases of Fiji HMSO p 99
Kranz, J., et al (eds), 1977, Diseases, Pests & Weeds in Tropical Crops Verlag Paul
Parey p 90
161
Disease: Leaf spot of Pumpkin family
Scientific name: Cercospora citrullina Cooke
How the disease spreads: Spores blow in the wind and can be splashed by rain.
They can be carried on dirty tools. It can live on crop remains and weeds in the
pumpkin family.
The damage: Not normally serious. Damage can be serious with some varieties in
some seasons.
Other plants that get the disease: Watermelon, bitter cucumber, cucumber,
rockmelon, wax gourd. It can also damage gourds, loofahs and chokos.
Control:
1. Rotate pumpkin family crops with other crops.
2. Improve soil fertility.
3. It can be controlled with chemical fungicides.
4. Remove weeds in the pumpkin family.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 917, 1987
Graham, K.M., 1971, Plant Diseases of Fiji HMSO p 102
162
Disease: Leaf spot/anthracnose of pumpkin family
Scientific name: Colletotrichum orbiculare (Berk. & Mont.) v Arx
[Synonym: Colletotrichum lagenarium (Pass.)Ell. & Halsted]
How the disease spreads: The fungus can live on old pumpkin plants and survive
on the seed. The spores can splash with the rain.
The damage:
Other plants that get the disease: Other pumpkin family plants. It is worse on
watermelons.
Control: No control is normally required in PNG for this disease although a range
of fungicides can be used for control if necessary. Your didiman will be able to
advise you on this.
Other plants that get the disease: It can affect watermelon and other pumpkin
family plants.
Control:
1. Get rid of old pumpkin plants.
2. Use varieties that get less disease.
References:
Persley, D.M., et al (eds), 1989, Vegetable Crops - a disease management guide
Queensland DPI Information document QI 88019 p 33
164
Disease: Powdery mildew of Pumpkins
Scientific name: Asexual stage: Oidium sp.
Sexual stage: Erysiphe cichoracearum D.C.
(Powdery mildew in pumpkin family plants can also be cause bySphaerotheca fuliginea)
How the disease spreads: The spores are blown in the wind.
The damage: Leaves may turn yellow, dry out and drop off the plant. The plant
can die.
Other plants that get the disease: Watermelon, sweet melon, cucumber, squash,
pumpkin. (Oidium mildews also get on aibika and pawpaw.)
Control:
1. Use varieties that get less disease.
2. Sulphur fungicides can be used. (Chemicals need to be used sparingly
because people eat the leaves of pumpkin family plants.)
3. Bury deeply all crop remains that are diseased.
References:
Graham, K.M., 1971, Plant Diseases of Fiji HMSO p 105
165
Rice diseases
The damage: Young plants can suddenly collapse and wilt. It can cause
fairly bad damage.
Other plants that get the disease: The disease has not been recorded on other
plants in PNG.
Control:
1. Burn old straw.
2. Rotate crops.
References:
167
Disease: Brown spot of rice
Scientific name: Cochliobolus miyabeanus (Ito & Kuri) Drech.ex Dast
[Synonym: Helminthosporium oryzae Breda de Haan]
Asexual: Bipolaris oryzae (v B de Haan) Shoem
[Synonym: Drechslera oryzae (vB de Haan) Sub & Jain]
How the disease spreads: The disease can be carried in the seed. The disease can
live on old rice stubble and plants. The spores can blow in the wind. It can develop
as a serious seedling blight when it affects the grain. It is more serious in dryland
rice.
The damage: On grains "eyespots" develop. These have brown edges with grey
centres. Seeds may shrivel. Long brown spots develop under the leaf sheath and
plants may collapse. Affected seed may rot in the ground. Seedlings may die
before or after emergence and survivals are yellow and stunted.
Other plants that get the disease: It has been recorded on two other grasses.
Control:
1. Use fertile soil and get plants growing well.
2. Seed treatment is used in some countries.
3. Some resistant varieties occur.
4. Get rid of diseased plants.
References:
CMI Description of Pathogenic Fungi No 302, 1971 and Distribution Map 92
Graham, K.M., 1971, Plant Diseases of Fiji HMSO p 186
Kranz, J., et al (eds), 1977, Diseases, Pests & Weeds in Tropical Crops Verlag Paul
Parey p 106
Pest Control in Rice PANS Manual No 3 p 51
168
Disease: False smut of rice
Scientific name: Ustilaginoidea virens (Cke) Takahashi
How the disease spreads: Most natural spread of the disease normally occurs just
before flowering. Spores spread mostly in the middle of the night. The disease is
not carried on seed. Hard resting spores (sclerotia) can develop and live between
crops.
The damage: Normally a minor disease but it can at times become locally
important.
Other plants that get the disease: The fungus also occurs on maize.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 299, 1971 & Map 347
Graham, K.M., 1971, Plant Diseases of Fiji HMSO p 188
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops Cambridge p 528
Ou, S.H., 1973, A Handbook of rice diseases in the tropics IRRI p 42-45
Pest Control in Rice PANS Manual No 3 p 70
169
Disease: Foot rot of rice
(Also called Bakanae)
How the disease spreads: The disease is carried on seed. The seeds get the
disease during flowering. The fungus occurs on many plants and can spread on
seed, in the air or through the soil.
Other plants that get the disease: The fungus also damages corn, sugarcane and
some other grasses.
Control:
1. Treatment of seed is used in some countries.
2. Some varieties are resistant.
3. Pre-germinating seeds for 3 days before sowing reduces the damage if the
disease is already in the soil.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 22, 1964 & Map 102
Graham, K.M., 1971, Plant Diseases of Fiji HMSO p 189
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops Cambridge p 205
Ou, S.H., 1973, A Handbook of rice diseases in the tropics IRRI Philippines
Pest Control in Rice PANS Manual No 3 p 64
170
Disease: Glume blotch of rice
Scientific name: Phaeoseptoria oryzae Miyake
How the disease spreads: Presumably the spores blow in the wind and rain.
Other plants that get the disease: The fungus only attacks rice.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Plant Pathogenic Fungi No 664, 1980
171
Disease: Leaf smut of Rice
Scientific name: Entyloma oryzae H. & P. Sydow
How the disease spreads: The fungus survives on old diseased leaves.
The damage: Tips of leaves may wither and die but the damage is not severe.
Other plants that get the disease: No other plants have been recorded with this
disease in PNG.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 296, 1971 & Map 451
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops Cambridge p 151
Pest Control in Rice PANS Manual No 3 p 67
172
Disease: Leaf spot of rice
Scientific name: Trichoconiella padwickii
Alternaria padwickii (Ganguly) Ellis
How the disease spreads: The disease is spread with the rice seed.
Control:
1. Mixing water extracts of ginger or garlic with the seeds can inhibit the
fungus for seed to be replanted. (Seeds soak for 12 or 24 hours.)
2. Rice can be sprayed with fungicides when the flower emerges. (Iprodine).
References:
CMI Description of Pathogenic Fungi No 345, 1972 and Distribution Map 314
173
Disease: Narrow brown leaf spot of rice
Scientific name: Sphaerulina oryzina Hara
Asexual: Cercospora oryzae Miyake
How the disease spreads: The fungus attacks plants late in their growth.
The damage: The leaves die early and less food is produced.
Other plants that get the disease: No other plants have been recorded with this
disease in PNG.
Control:
1. Use resistant varieties.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 420, 1974 & Map 71
Graham, K.M., 1971, Plant Diseases of Fiji HMSO p 193
Ou, S.H., 1973, A handbook of rice diseases in the tropics IRRI
Pest Control in Rice PANS Manual No 3 p 65
174
The cause:
The damage:
Control:
References:
175
Disease: Sheath blight of rice
Scientific name: Thanatephorus sasakii (Shirai) Tu & Kim.
Asexual: Corticium sasakii (Shirai) Matsumoto
[Synonym: Pellicularia filamentosa (Pat) Rogers;
Rhizoctonia solani;
and Thanatephorus cucumeris;]
How the disease spreads: The fungus can survive in the soil as small hard storage
organs called sclerotia. It can also live on other weed plants. The small sclerotia
spread in water.
The damage: Because the leaf sheath is damaged, leaves can fall off. Damage can
be important in some conditions.
Other plants that get the disease: It is known to occur on the following plants:
Peanut, Ceylon spinach, cabbage, capsicum, chilli, pawpaw, coconut, carrot, lablab
bean, tomato, mint, common bean, pepper, winged bean, potato, sorghum, cowpea,
corn, ginger. (Also coffee, oil palm, eucalyptus, rubber, leucaena, siratro, tobacco,
geranium, patchouli, stylo, teak & cacao.)
Control:
1. Wider spacing.
2. Get rid of old rice plants.
3. Don't use too much nitrogen fertiliser.
4. Some varieties get less disease.
References:
Kranz, J. et al (eds), 1977, Diseases, Pests & Weeds in Tropical Crops Verlag Paul Parey p 149
Ou, S.H., 1973, A handbook of rice diseases in the tropics IRRI p 26-29
Pest Control in Rice PANS Manual No 3 p 59
176
Disease: Stem rot of rice
Scientific name: Magnaporthe salvinii (Catt.) Krause & Webster
(Synonym: Leptosphaeria salvinii Catt.)
Asexual: Nakataea sigmoidea
How the disease spreads: Hard resting stages of the fungus can float and attach
onto new plants.
Other plants that get the disease: No other plants have been recorded with the
disease in PNG.
Control:
1. Some varieties get less disease.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Plant Pathogenic Fungi No 344, 1972 & Map 448
177
Disease: White leaf streak of rice
Scientific name: Mycovellosiella oryzae (Deighton & Shaw) Deighton
[Synonym: Ramularia oryzae Deighton & Shaw]
The damage:
It is only a minor disease.
Control:
Not normally necessary.
References:
Deighton, F.C. et al, 1960, Trans. Br. Mycol Soc. 43:516
Holliday. P., 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical crops Cambridge p 426
IMI descriptions of Fungi and bacteria No 1037
178
Sugarcane diseases
The damage: It can cause moderate damage to leaves causing them to die off.
Other plants that get the disease: The disease has only been recorded on
sugarcane.
Control:
1. Some kinds of sugarcane get less damage.
2. Avoid taking plants that have the disease on the leaves, to new gardens.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 418, 1974
180
Disease: Brown stripe of sugarcane
Scientific name: Bipolaris stenospila (Drechsler) Shoem.
[Synonyms: Drechslera stenospila (Drechsler) Subraim
and Helminthosporium stenospilum Drechsler]
How the disease spreads: It is presumed that the spores blow in the wind.
The damage:
It can be serious with some varieties but many sugarcane varieties have
resistance.
Control:
1. Use varieties that get less disease.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Plant Pathogenic Fungi No.306, 1971 and map 483
Krishnamurthi, M., & Koike, H., 1982, Sugarcane collecting expedition: Papua New
Guinea, 1977. Hawaiian Planters' Record 59(13) 273-313
181
Disease: Downy mildew of sugarcane
(Also affects Coastal pitpit)
How the disease spreads: It can spread in infected planting material. The disease
mostly attacks the plant through the young buds on the stem. The spores (conidia)
spread mostly in the middle of the night. They can blow 400 m in the wind.
Other plants that get the disease: A number of grass plants can be attacked -
sugarcane, sorghum, pitpit, Setaria and maize/corn.
Control:
1. Some varieties get less disease.
2. Use healthy planting material.
3. Crops in grassland may be more severely attacked.
4. Get rid of diseased plants including nearby crops.
5. Sets can be treated with hot water (52°C for 1 hour) or chemicals.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No. 453, 1975
Leu, L.S. & Egan, B.T., in Ricaud, C et al, 1989, Diseases of Sugarcane Elsevier p 107-
117
182
Disease: Eyespot of sugarcane
Scientific name: Bipolaris sacchari (Butler) Shoem
[Synonym: Drechslera sacchari (Butler) Subram. & Jain
and Helminthosporium sacchari Butler]
How the disease spreads: The fungus spreads by wind, and rain. It can be spread
on machinery.
The damage: Badly infected sugarcane can produce a lot less food.
Other plants that get the disease: Elephant grass, lemon grass.
Control:
1. Some varieties are more resistant so get the disease less.
2. Don't use too much nitrogen fertiliser.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 305, 1971 & Map 349
Comstock, J.C., & Steiner, G.W. in Ricaud, C. et al, 1989, Diseases of Sugarcane.
Elsevier p 123-129
Frohlich, G. et al, 1970, Pests and Diseases of Tropical Crops Pergamon p 235 Plate 35
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops Cambridge p 144
183
Disease: Fiji disease of sugarcane
Scientific name: Fiji Disease Virus (FDV)
How the disease spreads: The disease is spread by a small sap sucking sugarcane
leafhopper insects Perkinsiella spp. The disease can also be spread if planting
material is taken from a plant that already has the disease. It cannot be spread on
tools like bushknives. The adult leafhoppers move in large numbers on nights with
no wind. They sometimes move towards lights. The number of insects varies
depending on varieties of sugarcane available.
The damage: Plants can die. The disease can be serious if varieties of cane that
favour the leafhopper and the disease are present.
Other plants that get the disease: Coastal or long pitpit can also get the disease.
Control:
1. Use healthy planting material.
2. Use resistant varieties.
3. Infected plants should be harvested early then the remainder of the plant
destroyed.
References:
CMI Distribution Map 17
Egan, B.T., et al in Ricaud, C., et al, 1989, Diseases of Sugarcane Elsevier p 265-280
Frohlich, G. et al, 1970, Pests & Diseases of Tropical Crops Pergamon p 239, 240
Graham, K.M., 1971, Plant Diseases of Fiji HMSO p 112
Kula, G.R., Plant Pathology Note No 10 or Harvest 7(2) p 89.
184
Disease: Leaf scorch sugarcane
Scientific name: Stagonospora sacchari Lo & Ling
Synonym: Cercospora longipes Butler?
How the disease spreads: Wind blown rain and dew are essential for the fungus to
spread.
Other plants that get the disease: Some wild grasses in the sugarcane family can
get the disease.
Control:
1. Some varieties get less disease.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No. 418, 1974
Lo, T.T. & Leu, L.S., in Ricaud, C., et al, 1989, Diseases of Sugarcane Elsevier p 135-
140
185
Disease: Leaf spot or ring spot of sugarcane
Scientific name: Leptosphaeria sacchari v. Breda de Haan
How the disease spreads: The spores blow in the wind and are washed by rain.
They can live for an extended time on old dead leaves.
The damage: Not normally serious but may reduce seedling growth in some
varieties.
References:
Abbott, E.V., in Hughes, C.G. et al (ed)., 1964, Sugarcane diseases of the world Vol 1 p
53-58
CMI Description of Pathogenic Fungi No 145, 1967 and Distribution Map No 330
186
Disease: Orange rust of sugarcane
(Also affects Coastal pitpit)
The damage: It is not normally serious but leaves may die early.
Other plants that get the disease: Sugarcane, coastal pitpit and wild Saccharum
pitpit grasses.
Control:
1. Use varieties with high levels of resistance.
2. Other control is not normally required.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 10 1964
Graham, K.M., 1971, Plant Diseases of Fiji HMSO p 117
Kranz, J. et al, (eds), 1977, Diseases, Pests & Weeds in Tropical Crops Verlag Paul
Parey p 163
Ryan, C.C. & Egan, B.T. in Ricaud, C et al, 1989, Diseases of Sugarcane Elsevier p 189-
202
187
Disease: Pineapple disease of sugarcane
Scientific name: Ceratocystis paradoxa (Dade) Moreau
[Synonym: Ceratostomella paradoxa Dade]
Asexual: Thielaviopsis paradoxa (de Seynes) vHohn
[Synonym: Thielaviopsis ethaceticus]
How the disease spreads: The fungus gets spread from the soil by rain and wind.
It gets into damaged and cut stalks more easily. Wind blown spores can get into
canes through rat damage etc.. The fungus can last in the soil for quite a long time.
Other plants that get the disease: The fungus also damages pineapples, coconuts,
oil palm and bananas. Sometimes it damages betel nut palm and other palms,
soursops, sweet potato, corn and other plants.
Control:
1. Use healthy planting material.
2. Grow in well drained but moist soil.
3. Get rid of diseased setts.
4. Cuttings can be soaked in chemicals.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 143,1967 & Map 142
Frohlich, G.et al, 1970, Pests & Diseases of Tropical Crops Pergamon p 238
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops Verlag Paul Parey p 102
Kranz, J.et al, (eds), 1977, Diseases, Pests & Weeds in Tropical Crops Pergamon p 238
Wismer, C.A. & Bailey, R.A. in Ricaud, C., et al, 1989, Diseases of Sugarcane Elsevier p
145-151
188
Disease: Pokkah Boeng of sugarcane
(It also affects Coastal pitpit)
Scientific name: Gibberella fujikuroi (Sawada) Ito apud Ito & Kimura
[Synonym: Fusarium moniliforme Shel.]
How the disease spreads: It can spread from the soil or through cut stalks or in
the air.
The damage: A fairly common but not very serious disease. Sets may not grow.
When the disease gets bad, plants can die.
Other plants that get the disease: It occurs on many grass plants including maize,
rice, sugarcane and pitpit. It causes pink ear rot of corn and foot rot of rice.
Control:
1. Some varieties have resistance.
2. Sets can be dipped in fungicide.
3. Avoid excessive amounts of nitrogen fertiliser.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 22, 1964
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops Cambridge p 205
Martin, J.P., et al in Ricaud et al, 1989, Diseases of Sugarcane Elsevier p 157-165
189
Disease: Ramu scorch of sugarcane
Scientific name:
How the disease spreads: Wind blown spores are the most likely mode of spread
for this disease.
Other plants that get the disease: The disease has not been recorded on any other
plants.
Control:
1. Use varieties that get less disease.
References:
Egan, B.T., New diseases appear in Papua New Guinea BSES Bulletin (1986) No 16, 8-
10
190
Disease: Ramu stunt of sugarcane
Scientific name: Suspected viroid
The damage:
It causes serious loss in yield. Affected plants are severely stunted. Some
varieties of sugarcane appear to have high resistance to the disease.
Other plants that get the disease: The disease has not been recorded on any other
plants.
Control:
Plant resistant varieties.
References:
Egan, B.T. New Diseases appear in Papua New Guinea BSES Bulletin (1986) No 16, 8-
10
Waller, J.M., Egan, B.T. & Eastwood,D., 1987, Ramu stunt, an important new sugarcane
disease in Papua New Guinea Tropical Pest Management 33(4), 347-349
191
Disease: Red rot of sugarcane
(Also affects Coastal pitpit)
How the disease spreads: The fungus can spread from the soil or old crop
remains. Spores can be blown by wind. It can be spread in planting material. The
fungus can only live for 6 months in the soil.
The damage: Plants grow less well and can die. Sugarcane is less sweet.
Other plants that get the disease: Saccharum and Sorghum grasses.
Control:
1. Don't plant diseased material.
2. Different varieties have different amounts of resistance.
3. The fungus in canes for planting can be killed with hot air treatment.
4. Get rid of diseased plants.
5. Rotate sugarcane crops
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 133, 1967 & Map 186
Graham, K.M., 1971, Plant Diseases of Fiji HMSO p 115
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops Cambridge p 230
Kranz, J., et al, (eds), 1977, Diseases, Pests & Weeds in Tropical Crops Verlag Paul
Parey p 121
Singh, K. & Singh, R.P., in Ricaud, C. et al, 1989, Diseases of Sugarcane. Elsevier p
169-182
192
Disease: Red stripe of sugarcane
Scientific name: Pseudomonas rubrilineans (Lee et al) Stapp
[Synonym: Xanthomonas rubrilineans (Lee et al) Starr & Burkholder]
How the disease spreads: It spreads with wind blown rain. The bacterium oozes
onto the surface of leaf spots during moist warm weather. This can wash down
plants or splash between plants. It is rarely transmitted by cane knives. It can lie in
the soil for a month and on old dead plants for up to 7 months.
Other plants that get the disease: It can also occur on sorghum grasses and
maize.
Control:
1.Use resistant varieties.
2. Change of planting dates can reduce top rot of seedlings in some areas.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic bacteria No 127, 1967 and Distribution Map 39
Haywood, A.C. in Fahy, P.C. & Persley, G.J. (eds), 1983, Plant Bacterial Diseases A
Diagnostic Guide Academic. p 124-127
Martin, J.P. & Wismer, C.A., in Ricaud, C et al, 1989, Diseases of Sugarcane. Elsevier p
81-91
193
Disease: Rind disease of sugarcane
Scientific name: Phaeocytostroma sacchari (Ell. & Ev.) B Sutton
[Synonym: Pleocyta sacchari (Massee) Petrak & H.Sydow]
How the disease spreads: The small fungal spores blow in the wind or rain.
The damage: It gets on seed cuttings and reduces their germination. It can
seriously affect overmature cane causing the stalks to rot.
Other plants that get the disease: It occurs on plants in the sugarcane group.
Control:
1. Some varieties of sugarcane get worse damage.
2. Harvest the sugarcane when it is mature especially if it has suffered injury
to the stalks.
References:
CMI Description of Pathogenic Fungi No 87, 1965 and Distribution Map 255
194
Disease: Sugarcane mosaic
(Also called yellow stripe disease)
How the disease spreads: It can be spread by aphids (eg corn leaf aphid
Rhopalosiphum maidis) and sugarcane aphid (Longuinguis sacchari). It can also
be spread mechanically with things like bush knives. It can spread from infected
planting material.
The damage: The damage can be serious with kinds of sugarcane that get the
disease easily. Sometimes plants can recover from the disease.
Other plants that get the disease: It also occurs in maize, sorghum and on many
other grasses.
Control:
1. Use disease free planting material.
2. Some kinds of sugarcane get the disease less.
References:
CMI Distribution Map 330
Koike, H. & Gillaspie, A.G., in Ricaud, C et al, 1989, Diseases of Sugarcane Elsevier p
301-314
195
Disease: Tar spot of sugarcane
(Also affects Coastal pitpit)
How the disease spreads: Probably by wind and rain spreading spores from
infected crop debris.
The damage: Leaves can dry up in serious cases. It is not normally serious.
Other plants that get the disease: Sugarcane, coastal pitpit, sorghum, and other
Sorghum and Saccharum grasses.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 588 1978
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops Cambridge p 330
196
Disease: Veneer blotch of sugarcane
Also affects Coastal pitpit
How the disease spreads: This disease probably spreads through wind-blown
spores.
The damage: Little damage is caused although spots can be very distinct.
Other plants that get the disease: Sugarcane, long pitpit and other sugarcane type
grasses get the disease.
References:
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops Cambridge p 1124
Shaw, D.E., 1959, PNG Ag. J. 11(1956): 77
197
Disease: Yellow spot of sugarcane
(Also affects Coastal pitpit)
How the disease spreads: The spores (conidia) are washed off leaves. Although it
does not spread on sets where pieces of the stalk are used it probably can spread on
tops as used in Papua New Guinea.
Other plants that get the disease: The disease gets on sugarcane and coastal
pitpit.
Control:
1. Some varieties get less of the disease (Traditional varieties are less
damaged than hybrids.)
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 417, 1974 & Map 341
Graham, K.M., 1971, Plant Diseases of Fiji HMSO p 118
Holliday, P, 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops Cambridge p 71
Martin, J.P. et al, 1961, Sugarcane Diseases of the World Vol 1 Elsevier p 357ff
Ricaud, C. & Autrey, L.J.C. in Ricaud, C et al, 1989, Diseases of Sugarcane Elsevier p
231-241
198
Diseases of pitpits
Disease Cause Scientific name Page
Coastal pitpit
Leaf spot Fungus Beniowskia sphaeroides
Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora longipes 179
Leaf blight Fungus Colletotrichum falcatum
Leaf spot Fungus Cytoplea sp.
Leaf spot Fungus Diplodia sp.
Veneer blotch Fungus Deightoniella papuana 196
Leaf spot Fungus Bipolaris sacchari 182
Pokkah boeng Fungus Gibberella fujikuroi 188
Red rot Fungus Glomerella tucumanensis 191
Yellow spot Fungus Mycovellosiella koepkei 197
Tar spot Fungus Phyllachora sacchari 195
Downy mildew Fungus Peronosclerospora sp. 181
Rust Fungus Puccinia kuehnii 186
Fiji disease Virus 183
Mosaic Virus 194
Highlands pitpit
Tar spot Fungus Phyllachora minutissima 201
Rust Fungi Uredo palmifoliae 200
and Uromyces setariae-italicae 200
Leaf spot Fungus Bipolaris panici-miliacei 199
199
Disease: Leaf spot of highland pitpit
Scientific name: Bipolaris panici-miliacei (Nisik.) Shoem
[Synonym: Drechslera panici-miliacei (Nisik.) Subram. & Jain]
The damage:
Some of the leaf tissue is killed but this disease does not seem to seriously
damage the leaf.
Control:
Probably not necessary.
References:
200
Disease: Rusts of highland pitpit
Scientific name: Uredo palmifoliae Cummins
And Uromyces setariae-italicae Yosh
[Synonym: Uromyces leptodermus H.Sydow & Sydow]
How the disease spreads: Presumably the fungi blow in the wind.
The damage:
It does not appear to be serious.
Control:
References:
201
Disease: Tar spot of highland pitpit
Scientific name: Phyllachora minutissima (Welv. & Currey)
The damage: It is moderately common on pitpit in the highlands but does not
appear to do serious damage.
Control:
Probably not necessary
References:
202
How the disease spreads: It spreads through plant remains in the soil. It can be
spread with the seed of some crops. It has storage stages which allow it to stay for
long periods on seed or on plant remains.
The damage: It does not usually cause major damage on sweet potato in PNG.
Other plants that get the disease: It can attack many plants including rosella,
corn, beans, taro, peanut etc.
Control:
1. Improve the growing conditions.
2. Intercrop where possible.
3. Improve the soil fertility
4. Crop rotations are important.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi and bacteria No 275 1970
204
Disease: Fusarium wilt of sweet potato
Scientific name: Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht ex Fries
How the disease spreads: It spreads in soil, water and planting material. The
fungus can live for a long time on rotting plant material in the soil.
Other plants that get the disease: Several plants can get attacked by this strain of
the fungus.
Control:
1. Replant at a new garden site.
2. Use disease free planting material.
3. Rotating crops is little help as several different plants can get the disease.
4. Some varieties get the disease less.
5. Dipping planting material in chemicals helps.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 212, 1970
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops Cambridge p 164
205
Disease: Leaf spot of sweet potato
Scientific name: Pseudocercospora timorensis (Cooke) Deighton
[Synonyms: Cercospora timorensis Cooke
and Cercospora batatae A.W.Zimmerm.]
How the disease spreads: The spores (conidia) are spread by wind and rain.
The damage: Leaves can fall off early. Damage is usually not severe.
Other plants that get the disease: It can occur on some other Ipomoea plants.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 918 1987
Pest Control in Tropical Root Crops PANS Manual No 4 p 57
206
Disease: Leaf blight of sweet potato
Scientific name: Phomopsis ipomoeae-batatas Punith.
Synonym: Phyllosticta batatas (Thumen) Cooke
How the disease spreads: It spreads from old leaves by water splash and by
leaves touching.
The damage: It tends to damage old leaves towards the end of the sweet potato
growth. It is probably not therefore serious except in some local situations in the
highlands.
Other plants that get the disease: Only sweet potato is affected by this particular
fungus.
References:
CMI Description of Pathogenic Fungi No. 739 1982
207
Disease: Leaf spots of sweet potato
Scientific names: Ascochyta convolvuli Fautrey
Cercospora bataticola Ciferri & Brunner
[Synonym: Phaeoisariopsis bataticola]
Didymella sp.
Phoma sorghina (Probably in error)
Ramularia sp.
How the disease spreads: They normally have spores which blow in the wind.
The damage: They do not seem to cause serious problems at present in Papua
New Guinea
Other plants that get the disease: A leaf spot also gets on kangkong (Ipomoea
aquatica) and on Hangaar (Ipomoea tuba).
References:
Phoma sorghina CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi and bacteria No 825, 1984
208
Disease: Scab of sweet potato
Scientific name: Elsinoe batatas Jenkins & Viegas
How the disease spreads: Spores from the scabs spread with rain.
The damage: Leaves can be reduced and growing tips of the vines killed.
The yield is reduced.
Other plants that get the disease: This disease only occurs on sweet potato.
Control:
1. Some varieties get less disease.
2. Use clean planting material.
3. Chemical fungicides can be used.
References:
CMI Distribution Maps of Plant diseases Map 447
Goodbody, S., Plant pathology Note No 17 Harvest 8(2) p 99
Pest Control in Tropical Root Crops PANS Manual No 4 p 58
209
Disease: Sweet potato black rot
Scientific name: Ceratocystis fimbriata Ell. & Halst.
[Synonym: Ceratostomella fimbriata (Ell. & Halst) Elliott]
How the disease spreads: The fungus lives in the soil between sweet potato crops.
It is spread by water, wind, animals, machinery etc. It can spread on diseased
planting material. The fungus can develop rapidly on tubers during storage.
The damage: A dry black rot covers damaged parts of the tuber. Bristle-like black
projections may occur in large numbers. These carry the spores which spread the
disease.
Other plants that get the disease: The fungus also occurs on coffee, cacao,
mango, coconut, rubber, tobacco, and Crotalaria.
Control:
1. Only take clean planting material into a garden. Take only tips, not tubers.
2. Rotate crops as the fungus only survives in the soil for 2 years.
3. Some resistance is available but the resistance levels vary between tubers
and stems.
4. Do not manure beds with dung from animals that have eaten black rot
infected tubers.
5. If tubers were needed for planting they can be treated with hot air or
fungicide.
References:
CMI descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 141 1967
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical crops Cambridge p 57
Kranz, J. et al, (eds), 1977, Diseases, Pests & Weeds of Tropical Crops Verlag Paul
Parey p 100
210
Disease: Sweet potato soft rot
Scientific name: Rhizopus stolonifer (Fr.) Lind.
[Synonyms: Rhizopus nigricans Ehrwnb.
and Mucor niger Ged]
How the disease spreads: The fungus is very common in soil, in the air and
around food. It can also be spread by fruit flies.
Other plants that get the disease: Strawberries, peaches, sweet potato. It also
causes soft fruit rot of breadfruit.
Control:
1. Careful handling of tubers at harvest.
2. Vigorously growing plants rarely get diseased but the disease can get
started when growth stops.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 524 1977
211
Disease: Witches' Broom of Sweet potato
(Also called little leaf mycoplasma and sweet potato little leaf)
Scientific name:
How the disease spreads: The disease is spread by a leafhopper insect - the sweet
potato black spotted leafhopper Orosius lotophagorum ryukyuensis.
The damage: Yields may be very severely reduced in the dry season in parts of
lowland PNG.
Other plants that get the disease: Some of the self-sown plants in the sweet
potato family can also get the disease.
Control:
1. Pull out and destroy infected plants.
2. There do not appear to be any resistant kinds of sweet potato.
References:
Jackson, G.V.H., & Zettler, F.W., 1983, Sweet potato witches' broom and legume little-
leaf diseases in the Solomon Islands Plant Disease 67:1141-1144
Pearson, M.N., Plant Pathology Note No 8 Harvest 7(1) 1981, p 50
Van Velsen, R.J., 1967,"Little leaf" a virus disease of Ipomoea batatas in Papua and New
Guinea. Papua New Guinea Agric. J. 18:126-128
212
Taro diseases
Taro family
Disease Cause Scientific name Page
Chinese taro
Root rot Fungi Phytophthora citricola 220
Phytophthora nicotianae
Pythium arrhenomanes
Pythium vexans
and Rhizoctonia solani
and ? Aphelenchoides sp.
and ? Bursaphalenchus sp.
Leaf spot Fungus Glomerella cingulata 261
Leaf wrinkle Virus Bobone 204
Leaf speckle Virus Dasheen mosaic 209
Giant taro
Leaf spot Fungus Mycosphaerella alocasiae
Rust Fungus Uredo alocasiae
Collar rot Fungus Athelia rolfsii 262
Yellow spot Alga Phyllosiphon sp.
Swamp taro
Algal leaf spot Alga Cephaleuros virescens 274
Taro
Blossom blight Fungus Choanephora cucurbitarum 267
Brown leaf spot Fungus Cladosporium colocasiae 216
Leaf spot Fungus Neojohnstonia colocasiae 218
Shot hole Fungus Phyllosticta sp. 221
Blight Fungus Phytophthora colocasiae 222
Leaf blight Fungus Thanatephorus cucumeris 217
Root rot Fungus Pythium spp. 220
Mosaic Virus Dasheen mosaic virus 219
Dwarfed plants Viruses Alomae & Bobone viruses 214
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne sp. 271
Bacterial leaf blight Bacterium Xanthomonas campestris 215
213
214
Disease: Alomae/Bobone of taro
Scientific name:
How the disease spreads: These two viruses cannot be spread by contact or plants
rubbing together. (Nor can they blow in the wind or wash in rain.) The diseases
have to be spread by insects. The taro leafhopper (Tarophagus proserpina) is the
main insect that spreads the disease.
The damage: Plants die with alomae but often recover with bobone. Taro varieties
with few side suckers get alomae worse.
Other plants that get the disease: The disease only occurs on taro.
Control:
1. Wider spacing of gardens helps avoid the taro leafhopper.
2. With Alomae, diseased plants must be pulled out and destroyed.
References:
Gollifer, D.E. & Brown, J.F., 1972, Virus diseases of Colocasia esculenta in the British
Solomon Islands. Plant Disease Reporter 56(7): 597-599
Gollifer, D.E., & Jackson, G.V.H., 1978, Incidence and effects on yield of virus diseases
of taro in the Solomon Islands Ann. Appl. Biol. 88:131-135
Pearson, M.N., Plant Pathology Note No 13 Harvest 7(3) p 136
215
Disease: Bacterial leaf spot taro
Scientific name: Xanthomonas campestris
How the disease spreads: The disease appears to only be able to get started on
damaged leaves. It may splash from other infected leaves nearby and may blow in
the wind.
The damage: It attacks leaves more readily which have already had some damage.
Other plants that get the disease: It can also attack Chinese taro but less severely
than taro.
References:
Tomlinson, D.L., 1987, A bacterial leaf disease of taro (Colocasia esculenta) caused by
Xanthomonas campestris in PNG. Tropical Pest Management (UK) 33(4): 353-355
216
Disease: Brown leaf spot of taro
(Also called Ghost spot)
References:
Bugnicort, F., 1958, Rev Mycol 23:233 (38:176).
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 956, 1988
Graham, K.M., 1971, Plant Diseases of Fiji HMSO p 107
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops Cambridge p 77
Pest Control in Tropical Root Crops PANS Manual No4 p 180
217
Disease: A leaf blight of taro
(Not Taro blight)
How the disease spreads: It spreads by fungal threads growing upwards from the
soil. The fungus can produce storage organs that help it survive in soil.
The damage: It can cause damage in crowded, wet places by rotting plant parts.
Other plants that get the disease: It is known to occur on the following plants:
Peanut, Ceylon spinach, cabbage, capsicum, chilli, pawpaw, coconut, carrot, lablab
bean, tomato, mint, common bean, pepper, winged bean, potato, sorghum, cowpea,
corn, ginger. (Also non-food crops like coffee, oil palm, eucalyptus, rubber,
leucaena, siratro, tobacco, geranium, patchouli, stylo, teak & cacao.)
Control:
1. Use wider spacing.
2. Improve soil drainage or avoid very wet areas.
3. Planting so that leaves dry quickly reduces the damage.
References:
CMI Descriptions of pathogenic Fungi No 406, 1974
218
Disease: Leaf spot of taro
Scientific name: Neojohnstonia colocasiae (Ellis) Sutton
[Synonym: Johnstonia colocasiae Ellis]
How the disease spreads: Presumably is spreads by spores blown in the wind.
The damage: No information exists on the yield losses due to this disease
although leaf damage can be very noticeable.
Other plants that get the disease: No other plants get the disease.
References:
Sutton, B.C., 1983, Trans. Br. mycol. Soc. 81(2): 407
Leaf spots can be seen on Elephant foot yam caused by a fungus Pseudocercospora protensa
(Sydow) Deighton [Syn. Cercospora protensa Sydow] and on Giant taro by a fungus
Mycosphaerella alocasiae H.Sydow & Sydow. Both of these are the type of fungi that produce
round dead spots with a yellow ring around them. They are common but do not seem to cause
serious problems.
219
Disease: Mosaic of taro
Scientific name: Dasheen mosaic of taro
How the disease spreads: The disease is spread by a small aphid called the melon
aphid (Aphis gossypii). Suckers from infected plants would also have the disease.
The damage:
The disease is commonly seen in almost all plants in the taro family
including ornamental plants. It does not seem to seriously affect taro production,
although investigations have been made in PNG on yield losses due to this disease.
Other plants that get the disease: The virus also gets into Chinese taro and most
other plants in the taro family.
References:
Pearson, M.N., Plant Pathology Note No 13. Harvest 7(3) p 136
Shaw, D.E., et al, 1979, PNG Ag J. 30(4) 71-97
220
Disease: Root rot of taro and Chinese taro
(Also root and corm rot of taro)
How the disease spreads: The fungi are common in the soil and also blow in the
wind. They can be spread on planting material.
The damage: These fungi (as well as Botryodiplodia theobromae and Fusarium
solani and Athelia rolfsii) are all common soil living fungi. They are known to
cause rots of Chinese taro and taro tru both in the field under poor growing
conditions and of tubers after harvest. This rot occurs with plants growing in wet
conditions in the field but is not one of the main rots of taro in storage. Other
fungi and bacteria are involved there.
Other plants that get the disease: The fungi can attack many plants. A similar rot
affects Chinese taro.
Control:
1. Healthy planting material should be used.
2. Taro fields should not have stagnant water. They should either have
drainage or carefully controlled irrigation.
3. Diseased plants should be removed.
4. Crop rotation should be practiced.
5. Resistant varieties of taro should be planted.
References:
SPC (South Pacific Commission) Advisory leaflet No 20 1985
For Phytophthora citricola see CMI Description Pathogenic Fungi No 114
221
Disease: Shot hole of taro
Scientific name: Phyllosticta colocasiae
How the disease spreads: The spores of the fungus splash between taro plants in
the rain and wind.
The damage: It does not cause great loss of leaf and is probably not a serious
disease.
Other plants that get the disease: No other plants get the disease.
References:
222
Disease: Taro blight
Scientific name: Phytophthora colocasiae Racib
How the disease spreads: The fungus spreads with wind and rain.
The damage: It can kill off the taro leaves and kill the taro. Plants in many places
in PNG have been killed completely making taro growing impossible.
Other plants that get the disease: No other plants get the disease.
Control:
1. Wider spacing and intercropping helps reduce the disease.
2. Cutting off badly infected leaves helps a little.
3. Avoiding planting during the wetter months helps.
4. Chemicals called fungicides can be used.
5. Taro varieties that get less damage are being produced.
References:
Clarkson, D., Plant Pathology Note No 9 or Harvest 7(2) p 87
CMI Distribution Maps of Plant Diseases No 466.
Cox, P.G.& Kasimani, C., 1988, Control of taro leaf blight using metalaxyl Tropical pest
management 34(1):81-84
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops. Cambridge.
Pest Control in Tropical Root Crops PANS Manual No 4 p 177
Trujillo, E.E., Diseases of Colocasia in the Pacific. 1st Int. Symp. Root Crops. IV - 13
223
Blackberried nightshade
Bacterial wilt Bacterium Pseudomonas solanacearum 263
Cape gooseberry
Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora physalidis
Capsicum
Leaf spot Fungus Alternaria sp. 224
Collar rot Fungus Athelia rolfsii 264
Fruit rot Fungus Glomerella cingulata 225
Fruit rot Fungus Curvularia sp.
Leaf blotch Fungus Thanatephorus cucumeris 266
Wilt Fungus Fusarium solani
Root rot Fungus Pythium sp. 266
and Fusarium sp.
Bacterial wilt Bacterium Pseudomonas solanacearum 226
Storage rot Bacterium Erwinia carotovora 263
Bacterial leaf spot Bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv.
vesicatoria
Leaf distortion Virus Possibly potato virus y
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita 271
Chilli
Fruit rot Fungus Glomerella cingulata 225
Leaf & fruit blotch Fungus Thanatephorus cucumeris 266
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita 271
Eggplant
Leaf spot Fungus Colletotrichum sp. 225
Collar & stem rot Fungus Pythium butleri 265
Root rot Fungus Fusarium oxysporum
Storage rot Fungus Alternaria sp.
and Botrydiplodia theobromae 265
and Curvularia lunata
Bacterial wilt Bacterium Pseudomonas solanacearum 226
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne sp. 271
Naranjilla
Collar rot Fungus Athelia rolfsii 264
224
Tomato
Target spot Fungus Alternaria solani 233
Fruit rot Fungus Athelia rolfsii 264
and Phytophthora nicotianae 229
Collar rot Fungus Athelia rolfsii 264
and Pythium butleri
and Thanatephorus cucumeris 266
Anthracnose Fungus Colletotrichum sp. 216
Leaf spot Fungus Curvularia sp.
Leaf spot Fungus Corynespora cassiicola
and Phoma destructive
and Septoria lycopersici 231
Fruit spot Fungus Didymella lycopersici 230
Brown mould Fungus Fulvia fulvum 228
Wilt and collar rot Fungus Fusarium equiseti
and Fusarium oxysporum
Leaf spot Fungus Helminthosporium sp.
Brown leaf mould Fungus Pseudocercospora fuligena 227
Small leaf spot Fungus Stemphylium lycopersici
Bacterial wilt Bacterium Pseudomonas solanacearum 226
Bacterial leaf spot Bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv.
vesicatoria
Soft rot fruit Bacterium Erwinia carotovora subsp. 262
carotovora
Mosaic Virus Tobacco mosaic virus 232
Spotted wilt Virus 234
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne arenaria 271
Meloidogyne incognita 271
Meloidogyne javanica 271
Tree tomato
Leaf spot Fungus Ascochyta sp.
Spots (Anthracnose) Fungus Glomerella cingulata 261
Root rot Fungus Phytophthora palmivora
and Pythium sp. 266
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne sp. 271
225
Disease: Anthracnose of capsicum
Scientific name: Colletotrichum capsici (Syd.) Butler & Bisby
(Often another fungus Curvularia lunata was also associated with this fruit rot.)
How the disease spreads: It is carried in the seed and continues on rotting fruit
and other plant remains. It can spread with wind and rain.
The damage: The fungus can cause plants to die back, stems to break, spots on
leaves, young seedlings to die, and rot of fruit both as young fruit and as ripe fruit.
Other plants that get the disease: It gets on capsicum, chillie, eggplant, tomato
and a number of other plants.
Control:
1. Normally the longer more biting kinds of capsicums get less disease than
the rounder sweeter kinds.
2. Removing crop remains after harvest is important and also keeping
gardens free from weeds that might host the disease.
3. Fungicides can be used.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi and Bacteria No 317 1971
Pearson, M.N.; Bull, P.B.; Speke, H., 1984, Anthracnose of Capsicum in Papua New
Guinea; varietal reaction and associated fungi Tropical Pest Management 30(3)230-233
226
Disease: Bacterial wilt of tomato
(Also bacterial wilt capsicums; eggplant; blackberried nightshade;)
How the disease spreads: The disease causing bacteria live in the soil and are
active during hot wet weather. They can survive between seasons on old tomato
plants and on some weeds. During rain the disease washes down hill. It can also
spread by contact of roots.
The damage: Plants can be stunted, leaves curl downwards and plants wilt.
Other plants that get the disease: Potatoes are also attacked by this bacterium. It
causes wilt of capsicums, eggplant, blackberried nightshade and tomato.
Control:
1. Avoid planting areas where this disease is known to be in the soil.
2. Do not apply excess amounts of animal manure or nitrogen fertiliser.
3. Do not grow susceptible plants on the same ground more than once every
two years.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi & Bacteria No 15, 1964
Tomlinson, D., Plant Pathology Note 15 Harvest 7(4) p 180
227
Disease: Brown leaf mould of tomato
(Also called brown leaf spot)
Scientific name: Pseudocercospora fuligena (Roldan)Deighton
[Synonym: Cercospora fuligena Roldan]
How the disease spreads: Presumably the fungus blows in the wind.
The damage:
Leaves can die but often the damage is not very serious.
Control:
1. It can be controlled with chemical fungicides.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 465, 1975 and Distribution Map 382
Plant pathology note 16 Harvest 8(1) p 39
228
Disease: Brown mould of tomato
Scientific name: Fulvia fulvum (Cooke) Cif
[Synonym: Cladosporium fulvum Cooke]
How the disease spreads: The disease spores spread easily by wind and rain. The
fungus can live on old tomato plants. It can also live on tomato seed.
The damage: Leaves fall off early and therefore fruit does not ripen properly.
Other plants that get the disease: The disease only occurs on tomato.
Control:
1. Old tomato plants should be removed.
2. A chemical fungicide can be used.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 487, 1976 & Distribution Map No 77
Graham, K.M., 1971, Plant Diseases of Fiji HMSO p 223
229
Disease: Buckeye rot of tomato
(Also called fruit rot of tomato)
How the disease spreads: The fungus lives in the soil and can remain in the soil
for several years. The spores can blow in the wind. The disease mostly gets on
fruit near the ground.
The damage:
Fruit rot. The rot continues in the fruit if the fruit are stored.
Other plants that get the disease: It affects tobacco, amaranthus, tomatoes, castor
bean, eggplant, and can also get on damaged carrots and sweet potato.
Control:
1. Avoid wet low lying ground.
2. Keep tomatoes staked up or with fruit off the ground.
3. Avoid areas that are known to be contaminated by the disease.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 34 1964
230
Disease: Fruit spot of tomato
Scientific name: Didymella lycopersici Klebahn
How the disease spreads: The disease gets started more easily when plants have
been damaged. Spores can live in water for over 3 months. The disease can spread
on tools if processes like pruning are carried out.
The damage:
Other plants that get the disease: The disease only occurs on tomato.
Control:
1. The disease can be controlled with fungicide sprays.
References:
CMI Description of Pathogenic Fungi No 272, 1970 & Distribution Maps No 324
231
Disease: Leaf spot of tomato
Scientific name: Septoria lycopersici Speg
How the disease spreads: The spores are spread by rain and wind. The disease
can be spread by people. The disease can live on old plants or wild plants in the
tomato family.
Other plants that get the disease: Tomato, blackberried nightshade, eggplant.
Control:
1. Get rid of diseased plants.
2. Rotate crops.
3. Get rid of weeds in the tomato family.
4. It can be controlled with chemical fungicides. (Zineb)
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 89, 1966
232
Disease: Mosaic of tomatoes
Scientific name: Tobacco mosaic virus
The damage:
Control:
References:
233
Disease: Target spot of tomatoes
(Also called Early Blight.)
How the disease spreads: The disease can be transmitted on seed, by wind and
rain splash.
The damage: Leaves can fall off early and reduce yield.
Control:
1. Get rid of old diseased plants and fruit.
2. Some varieties get less disease.
3. Seed can be treated with chemicals.
4. The disease can be stopped with chemical fungicides.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 475, 1975 & Map 89
Plant pathology note No 16 Harvest 8(1) p 39
234
Disease: Tomato spotted wilt
Scientific name: Tomato spotted wilt virus
The cause:
The damage:
Other plants that get the disease: It can cause spotted wilt of lettuce.
Control:
References:
CMI Distribution Map 8
235
Yam diseases
Disease Cause Scientific name Page
Greater yam
Anthracnose Fungus Glomerella cingulata 237
Leaf spot Fungus Phyllosticta dioscoreae 238
Rust Fungi Goplana dioscoreae 240
and Goplana australis 240
and Uredo dioscoreae-sativae 239
Silvering Fungus Botrodiplodia theobromae 241
Mosaic Possibly virus
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne sp. 271
Lesser yam
Leaf spot Fungus Cylindrosporium dioscoreae
Leaf spot Fungus Guignardia dioscoreae 238
Leaf spot Bacterium Xanthomonas sp. 242
Mosaic Perhaps virus
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita 271
Potato yam
Leaf mould Fungus Pseudocercospora ubi 242
Rust Fungus Uredo dioscoreae-sativae 239
How the disease spreads: The small spores can remain on old leaves of yams and
spread by rain.
The damage: Some kinds of yams get worse damage than others. Greater yam can
get fairly bad damage. Potato yam can get the leaves blackened. Lesser yam is not
seriously damaged. Some varieties of yams get more damage than others.
Other plants that get the disease: Many other plants may be affected by this
fungus.
Control:
1. Get rid of old yam leaves and rubbish.
2. Choose kinds of yams that get less damage.
3. Having yams well staked up so that the leaves can dry.
4. It can be controlled with chemical fungicides. (Zineb).
5. There is considerable difference between varieties of greater yam as to
how badly they are affected by this disease. Varieties with high tolerance had high
levels of the nutrient potassium.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 315, 1971
PANS Manual No 4 Pest Control in Tropical Root Crops p 147
238
Disease: Leaf spot of lesser yam
(Other fungi can also cause leaf spots)
How the disease spreads: It is spread by spores (pycnidia) during wind and rain.
The damage: Damage by this fungus is also often associated with attack by other
fungi.
Other plants that get the disease: This disease only affects yams.
References:
Pest Control in Tropical Root Crops PANS Manual No4 p 153
239
Disease: Rust of lesser, potato & five leaflet yam
(See also yam rust Goplana dioscoreae)
The damage:
Other plants that get the disease: This rust has been recorded on lesser yam,
potato yam and five-leaflet yam.
References:
Ono, Y., 1982, Rusts of Yams in Southeast Asia and South Pacific Trans. Br. Mycol.
Soc. 79(3) 423-429
240
Disease: Yam rust
Scientific name: Goplana dioscoreae Cummins
And Goplana australis Ono & Hennen
Asexual: Uredo hiulca Cummins
How the disease spreads: The spores are spread by wind and on new leaves they
grow through the leaf pores.
The damage:
Other plants that get the disease: The disease only occurs on yams.
References:
Ono, Y., 1982, Rusts of yams in South East Asia and South Pacific Trans. Br. Mycol.
Soc. 79(3): 423-429
241
Disease: Silvering of Yam leaves
Scientific name: Probably Botryodiplodia theobromae Pat.
How the disease spreads: The fungus is very common in the tropics and it spreads
by spores in the wind and rain as well as on seeds and planting material and can be
spread by insects.
The damage: It probably causes yams that are not growing well to die off more
quickly. It can also cause rotting of yam tubers in storage.
Other plants that get the disease: This fungus has been recorded on over 500
different types of plants so it is a common secondary disease.
(See also page 252)
Control:
1. Rotating yam gardens so that they avoid nematode damage and so keep
growing well is important.
2. Some crops such as peanuts and maize can cause the fungus to be more
common, so putting yams first in rotations would probably help.
3. Avoid damage to plants and to tubers that are to be stored as the fungus
normally starts in damaged places on plants.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 519, 1976
Pest Control in Tropical Root Crops PANS Manual No 4 p 154
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungal Diseases of Tropical Crops Cambridge p 42
Kranz, J., et al, 1977, Diseases, Pests & Weeds in Tropical Crops p 188
242
Disease: Yam leaf moulds
Scientific name: Dactylaria dioscoreae Ellis
Also Pseudocercospora ubicola (W.Y.Yen) Deighton
And Pseudocercospora ubi (Racib.) Deighton
Also Xanthomonas sp.
The cause:
The damage:
Control:
References:
Yen, Review mycology 30(3) 200-203, 1965
243
Disease: Yam leaf spots
Scientific names: Mycosphaerella contraria
Mycosphaerella papuana
Leptosphaeria coniothyrium (Fuckel) Sacc.
and Corticium sp
and Curvularia sp.
How the disease spreads: The disease spreads by wind-blown spores and rain
splash.
The damage:
References:
244
How the disease spreads: The fungus can be spread on the seed, from the remains
of old carrots, or from diseased plants. Spores blow during the day.
The damage: The leaves can die and the size of the carrots is less. It can also
cause young seedlings to die off.
Other plants that get the disease: Celery, parsnip, and parsley.
Control:
1. Plant carrots in well-drained soil.
2. Rotate carrot crops over 3 years.
3. Dust seed with a chemical called captan.
4. It can be controlled with fungicides eg mancozeb, zineb etc.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 951, 1988 & Map 352
Graham, K.M., 1971, Plant Diseases of Fiji HMSO p 39
246
Disease: Septoria spot of celery
Scientific name: Septoria apiicola Speg.
How the disease spreads: The disease can be on the seed. In gardens it can stay
on old celery plant materials in the soil. Spores can blow in the wind.
The damage: Affected plants are more likely to rot after harvesting.
Other plants that get the disease: This disease only occurs on celery.
Control:
1. Use clean seed.
2. Get rid of old celery crops or move garden sites.
3. Chemical fungicide sprays can be used.eg chlorothalonil.
4. Seed can be treated (In hot water at 50°C for 30 mins.).
References:
CMI Descriptions of pathogenic fungi No 88, 1966
Vock, N.T., 1978, A handbook of plant diseases in colour Vol 1 Queensland DPI
247
Disease: Rust of Fig trees
Scientific name: Cerotelium fici (Butl.) Arth.
[Synonym: Uredo fici]
(Uredo ficina Juel is a very similar fungus on Ficus.)
How the disease spreads: The rust probably spreads from old diseased leaves.
Other plants that get the disease: Fig and other Ficus spp., Mulberry, and
Polynesian mulberry or Tapa plant.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 281, 1971 & Map 399
248
Disease: Heart rot of galip
Scientific name: Phellinus noxius (Corner) G.H.Cunn.
[Synonym: Fomes noxius Corner]
Other plants that get the disease: Albizia, Cassia, Coconuts, Rubber, Leucaena,
Cacao, Panama Berry, avocado, citrus, rambutan and probably many other trees. It
causes upper stem rot of oil palm.
Control:
1. If the disease is detected early the damaged area can be cut out and sealed
off with oil palm trees.
References:
CMI Description of Plant pathogenic Fungi No 195, 1968
Kranz, J., 1977, Diseases, Pests and Weeds of Tropical Crops p 162
249
Disease: Downy mildew grapes
Scientific name: Plasmopara viticola (Berk. & M.A.Curtis) Berl. & de Toni
How the disease spreads: The spores spread by wind and water to new leaves.
The damage: Large dead areas occur on the leaves causing the leaves to fall off.
Fruit stalks can also wither and fall off.
Not important in PNG because grapes are rarely grown.
Other plants that get the disease: This disease only occurs on grapes.
References:
Vock, N.T., 1978, A handbook of plant diseases in colour Vol 1 Queensland DPI
250
Disease: Powdery mildew grapes
Scientific name: Uncinula necator (Schwein.) Burr.
[Synonym: Oidium tuckeri Berk.]
How the disease spreads: The spores can blow long distances by wind.
The damage: The fruit develop distortions and cracking. It is not a major problem
in PNG because grapes are rarely grown.
Other plants that get the disease: This disease only occurs on grapes.
Control:
1. Fungicide chemicals can be used.
References:
Vock, N.T., 1978, A handbook of plant diseases in colour Vol 1 Queensland DPI
251
Disease: Collar rot of lettuce
Scientific name: Athelia rolfsii (Curzi) Tu & Kimbrough
[Synonyms: Corticium rolfsii (Sacc.) Curzi
and Pellicularia rolfsii (Curzi) West.]
Asexual: Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc.
How the disease spreads: The fungus can live in the soil.
Other plants that get the disease: Beans, cabbage, peanut, corn, peas, pepper,
sweet potato, sugarcane, tomato, and others.
Control:
1. Plants need to be in well-drained soil.
2. Plants need to be rotated or garden sites changed.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 410, 1974
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops Cambridge p 110
Kranz, J., 1977, Diseases, Pests and Weeds of Tropical Crops p 148
252
Disease: Leaf spot of Lettuce
(Also called Septoria leaf spot)
How the disease spreads: The disease is spread in infected seed. It can also
spread from old lettuce plants and plant remains in the soil. It is spread by wind.
Other plants that get the disease: This fungus only attacks lettuce.
Control:
1. Use clean seed or treat seed in hot water at 48°C for 30 minutes.
2. Remove old lettuce crops.
3. Fungicide sprays can be used.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No335, 1972 & Map 485
Vock, N.T., 1978, A handbook of plant diseases in colour Vol 1 Queensland DPI
253
Disease: Anthracnose of mango
Scientific name: Glomerella cingulata (Stonem.) Spauld & Schrenck
[Synonym: Glomerella mangifera Penz.]
Asexual: Colletotrichum gloeosporoides Penz.
How the disease spreads: The spores of the fungus develop on dead twigs and
leaves on the ground for many months and spread by water and rain.
The damage: In wet areas or wet seasons the disease can be serious causing few
fruit to form. It stops fruit production in most wet areas of Papua New Guinea.
Harvested fruit with the disease quickly blacken and rot.
Other plants that get the disease: The fungus occurs on many different plants.
Control:
1. Some varieties of mangoes get the disease less.
2. Remove dead twigs and branches before flowering.
3. The disease can be controlled with fungicide chemicals.
4. Mangoes are better suited to areas with a dry season during flowering.
References:
Frohlich, G & Rodewald, W, 1970, Pests & Disease of Tropical Crops Pergamom p 69
Vock, N.T., 1978, A Handbook of plant disease in colour Vol 1 Queensland DPI
254
Disease: Peach leaf curl
Scientific name: Taphrina deformans (Berk.) Tul.
How the disease spreads: The fungus lives on trees and fallen leaves. The spores
blow in the wind.
The damage: The leaves can be severely twisted and fall of and the fruit can be
distorted.
It is not common in Papua New Guinea because peaches are rarely grown.
Other plants that get the disease: It affects peaches, nectarines and occasionally
apricots.
Control:
1. It can be controlled with fungicide sprays.
References:
Vock, N.T., 1978, A handbook of plant diseases in colour Vol 1 Queensland DPI
255
Disease: Peach rust
Scientific name: Transchelia discolor
[Synonyms: Tranzschelia pruni-spinosae (Pers.) Dietel
and Puccinia pruni-spinosae]
How the disease spreads: The fungus lives on twigs and old leaves. It spreads
with wind and rain.
Other plants that get the disease: It affects plants in the peach family - apricots,
nectarines.
Control:
1. Fungicide chemicals can be used.
References:
CMI distribution maps of Plant Diseases No 223
Vock, N.T., 1978, A Handbook of Plant Diseases in colour Vol 1 Queensland DPI
256
Disease: Water blister of pineapple
(Also called Base rot of pineapple)
How the disease spreads: The fungus is very common in soil. It gets into plants
through wounds. Spores can be spread by wind and rain.
Other plants that get the disease: Sugarcane, coconut, bananas, betel nut, coffee,
cacao, maize.
Control:
1. Use dry healthy suckers. Cure slips before planting.
2. Don't plant pineapples and sugarcane together.
3. Get rid of diseased plant parts.
4. Don't damage plants.
5. Leave a stalk on fruit that is cut
6. Plant during dry sunny weather.
7. Dry off tops and butts before planting.
8. Plant pineapples on mounds or well-drained soil.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 143, 1967
Graham, K.M., 1971, Plant Diseases of Fiji HMSO p 166
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops Cambridge p 62
Vock, N.T., 1978, A handbook of plant diseases in colour Vol 1 Queensland DPI
257
Disease: Leaf spot silver beet
(Also affects beetroot.)
How the disease spreads: The fungus can be carried on the seed. It can live on
old silver beet remains in the soil. The spores blow in the wind.
Other plants that get the disease: It can also get on spinach and some weeds.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 721, 1982 and Distribution Map 96
Vock, N.T., 1978, A Handbook of Plant Diseases in colour Vol 1 Queensland DPI
258
Disease: Eye spot strawberry
(Also called leaf spot and white spot)
How the disease spreads: The disease can be introduced on planting material and
can spread from old plants. The fungus can survive on old leaves and plant
remains.
The damage: Leaves die off early and fruit can be damaged.
Other plants that get the disease: The disease only occurs on strawberry.
Control:
1. Remove severely affected plant parts.
2. Use clean planting material
3. Do not plant strawberries in wet or shady areas.
4. Chemical fungicides can be used.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 708, 1981
Vock, N.T., 1978, A Handbook of plant diseases in colour Vol 1 Queensland DPI
Another fungal leaf spot of strawberry is caused by the fungus Cercosporina vexans
(Massal) Moesz [Syn. Cercospora vexans C Massal]. It probably forms a spot with a yellow ring
around it.
259
Disease: Scorch of strawberry
Scientific name: Diplocarpon earlianum (Ell. & Ev.) Wolf.
Asexual: Marssonina fragariae (Lib.) Kleb.
How the disease spreads: The disease spreads from planting material and from
diseased old plants. The spores on plants can blow around in the wind in wet
weather.
Other plants that get the disease: The disease only occurs on strawberry.
Control:
1. Use healthy planting material.
2. Do not plant in wet or shady areas.
3. It can be controlled with fungicide chemicals.
4. There are varieties of strawberry that do not get the disease.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 486, 1976
Vock, N.T., 1978, A Handbook of plant diseases in colour Vol 1 Queensland DPI
260
Disease: Pink disease
Scientific name: Phanerochaete salmonicolor (Berk. & Broome) Julich
[Synonym: Corticium salmonicolor Berk & Broome]
How the disease spreads: It spreads by spores in the air in damp weather.
The damage: It can cause severe defoliation of many perennial crops. The disease
is often much worse in crops which are already growing poorly because of other
factors.
Other plants that get the disease: It damages a large number of tropical trees.
Food trees include pigeon pea, orange, loquat, soursop, jackfruit, Panama berry.
Non-food trees include tea, Calliandra, Cassia, coffee, Crotalaria, Rubber,
Leucaena, Tephrosia, Cacao.
Control:
1. Scrape off the infection and treat the infected area with a fungicide paste.
2. Use copper fungicides during the rainy season.
3. Prune off infected branches during the dry season.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 511, 1976
Holliday, P., 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops p 112
261
Anthracnose
This is the name of several diseases on plants caused by a fungus called
Glomerella cingulata. The fungus that causes it also occurs on many other plants
that are not food plants. Glomerella cingulata is recorded on soursop, betel nut,
five corner, capsicum, pawpaw, lemon, grapefruit, coconut, tree tomato, yam,
soybean, mango, cassava, granadilla, avocado, guava, ginger, tree tomato, winged
bean.
The fungus often causes damage to the flowers and seeds with the tips of
plants getting spots or dying back. The types of symptoms are called wither tip or
tip dieback on cassava, fruit rot on chilli and five corner, leaf blotch on ginger,
stem death on granadilla, flower blight, or blossom blight on mango, soursop, and
sweetsop and anthracnose or leaf spots on cassava, yam, tree tomato, and mango.
Often these diseases have similar conditions where they occur. Normally it
is poor growing conditions with low soil fertility. As well the microclimate around
the plant is often poor. The movement of air is poor, the access to light is poor and
the conditions are damp and the weather humid. The control of the diseases is
mostly by improving the growing conditions, raising the soil fertility, pruning
plants or increasing the spacing and avoiding plant injury. The disease gets started
more easily with plants that are damaged.
Page
Anthracnose bean Colletotrichum lindemuthianum 61
Anthracnose bananas Colletotrichum musae 42
Anthracnose betel nut Colletotrichum gloeosporoides 82
Anthracnose capsicum Colletotrichum capsici 225
Anthracnose chilli Glomerella cingulata 225
Anthracnose mango Glomerella cingulata 253
Anthracnose yams Glomerella cingulata 237
Flower blight mango Glomerella cingulata 253
Leaf spot snake gourd Colletotrichum orbiculare 162
Leaf blight cassava Colletotrichum capsici 95
Red rot sugarcane Glomerella tucumanensis 191
Smudge of onions Colletotrichum circinans 124
Wither tip of cassava Colletotrichum capsici
and Glomerella cingulata 95
Yam leaf spots Glomerella cingulata 237
262
Bacterial soft rot
These soft squashy rots may occur in a number of vegetables especially
introduced vegetables like cabbages, tomato, onion etc. They have been recorded
on banana, cabbage, Chinese cabbage, choko, cucumber, lettuce, marita, onion,
potato, sweet potato, taro and tomato. They probably occur on a number of other
plants. Three slightly different bacteria cause these diseases.
They are:
Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora
Erwinia chrysanthemi
and Erwinia carotovora subsp. aseptica
The disease starts out as a soft water soaked region starting where there has
been some sort of damage from an insect or other cause. This develops quickly
into a soft squashy rot with a bad smell.
The disease gets worse in warm wet weather. The bacteria can be spread
around by insects but can also be in infected planting material or spread between
infected plants or fruits in storage.
In the field every attempt should be made to reduce damage to the plants.
For further information see Plant pathology note No 18: Harvest 8(3) p 141.
263
Bacterial wilt
Bacterial wilt can affect a number of different plants. This includes: aibika,
blackberried nightshade, capsicum, eggplant, peanut, potato, and tomato.
The bacterium that causes this disease becomes a problem in warmer places.
There are slightly different forms or races of this bacterium.
When the bacteria start to attack, one branch of the plant starts to wilt. This
is because bacteria block the cells that conduct the water through the plant.
Eventually the whole plant collapses and dies. If the stem of an infected plant is cut
just above the ground, a brown discoloration of the internal tissues can be seen.
With potato tubers a ring of milky drops will form around the cut section of the
tuber.
The bacteria mostly spread through the roots but with bananas they can be
spread by insects. The disease causing bacteria can also be spread on knives and
other tools that are used to cut the plants.
Old plant parts left in the soil can keep the bacteria alive in the soil.
Bacterial wilt can only be controlled effectively by using varieties of crops that get
the disease less. With crops like potatoes and tomatoes it is important to intercrop
and not plant the plants near each other in a row or line.
1. Athelia rolfsii.
The fungus Athelia rolfsii has also been called Corticium rolfsii and
Sclerotium rolfsii. The diseases it causes are often called Sclerotial wilts. White
threads of fungus spread over parts of the plants near the soil surface. Sclerotia or
hard resting parts normally develop after the host plant has died. The fungus can
grow on living plants or dead plant material near the soil surface. The fungus can
spread on planting material and by the activities of people.
Infection of the plant commonly occurs near ground level and extends a few
centimetres above and below this. This produces collar rots and plants wilt. Wet
soil, shading and crowding between plants increases the disease. The disease
develops best at temperatures of 25°-35°C.
Plants attacked:
Athelia rolfsii: capsicum, giant taro, artichoke, lettuce, naranjilla, pawpaw,
peanut, pomelo, potato, rice, sugarcane, sunflower, sweet potato, tomato.
It can cause problems such as collar rot of peanuts, stem rot of pawpaw and
leaf spot on citrus. As well it is known to be involved with storage rots in yams,
cassava and sweet potato. It is also associated with die-back and pod rot of cacao.
Plant attacked:
Botryodiplodia theobromae: peanut, pawpaw, citrus, coconut, apple, cassava,
sago, banana, nutmeg, avocado, wheat, corn, (also on tea, coffee, oil palm, cotton,
hibiscus, cacao and other trees.)
Scientific names:
Asexual stage: Botryodiplodia theobromae Pat.
Sexual stage: Physalospora rhodina Berk. & Curt. apud Cooke
3. Pythium spp.
Many of the Pythium fungi live in the soil. They cause dying off of plants in
very wet soil. They are often associated with Phytophthora spp. fungi.
Rhizoctonia solani Peanut, Ceylon spinach, cabbage, capsicum, chilli, pawpaw, coconut,
carrot, lablab bean, tomato, mint, common bean, pepper, winged
bean, potato, sorghum, cowpea, corn, ginger. (Also coffee, oil palm,
eucalyptus, rubber, leucaena, siratro, tobacco, geranium, patchouli,
stylo, teak & cacao.)
Thanatephorus sasakii Rice
Scientific names:
Sexual: Thanatephorus cucumeris (Frank) Donk
Asexual: Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn.
[Synonym: Pellicularia filamentosa (Pat.) Rogers
and Corticium solani (Prill.& Del.) Bourd. & Galz.]
267
Blossom blights
Choanephora cucurbitarum Silver beet, beetroot, chilli, pawpaw, taro, lablab bean,
cassava, winged bean, sorghum, rice bean.
It can cause blossom blight of taro but as the flowers and seeds of taro are
not a major part of normal production except for plant breeders this is not serious.
The fungus can also continue to cause rots of fruit etc after harvest.
The disease normally occurs under wet conditions and when plants are
crowded.
Plant Fungus
Bitter cucumber Pseudoperonospora cubensis
Chinese cabbage Peronospora parasitica
Coastal pitpit Peronosclerospora sp.
Corn Peronosclerospora sacchari
Cucumber Pseudoperonospora cubensis
Grapes Plasmopara viticola
Melon Pseudoperonospora cubensis
Pumpkin Pseudoperonospora cubensis
Squash, marrow Pseudoperonospora cubensis
Sugarcane Peronosclerospora sacchari
269
Powdery mildews
This name applies to a group of fungi. They attack a number of different
plants. Mostly they begin as a small faint white spot on the leaves. These spots
increase in size with suitable weather conditions. The whole surface of the leaf
can be covered with a white powdery fungus. Stems and fruit can also be attacked.
Young leaves that are attacked can be distorted in shape and can curl up at the
edges. These fungi require high humidity but not rainy weather to start growing.
But once the fungus has started it can continue in wet or dry conditions. They
mostly do best at a temperature range of 11° to 28°C.
These sooty moulds can be seen very commonly on the leaves of almost all
small trees and shrubs both cultivated and wild.
Other nematodes
This is an alga that attacks plants. It occurs on forest trees and can spread
from there onto other plants, especially those grown under partial shade. It causes
leaves to die and fall off. The alga can occur on trunks, stems, leaves and fruit and
cause injury. The damage is normally worse in warm weather and in wet weather.
It attacks a wide range of fruit bearing trees. Some of these from Papua New
Guinea include:
Cashew, soursop, bixa, tea, cinchona, citron, grapefruit, pomelo, coffee, swamp
taro, Chinese cherry (Flacourtia inermis), rubber, banana, avocado, pepper, guava,
cacao, vanilla.
Some of the trees affected include Albizzia, Cassia, Tephrosia, coconut (Brown
root rot p98), rubber, leucaena, cacao, coffee, kapok, Panama Berry, Galip
(Canarium almond- heart rot p238), Oil palms (Upper stem rot), mangosteen,
avocado (root rot), rambutan, Japanese cherry, lime, mandarin, pepper (Root rot),
tea and the decaying stumps of various forest trees.
On coconut and oil palm dead spots develop on the trunk. The trunk collapses.
Sometimes before this occurs the leaves may turn yellow, wilt and hang down. The
spots on the trunk are dark brown with dark brown zones. It mostly attacks palms
over 10 years old. Palms in poor soil conditions especially low potassium, get the
disease more. The disease takes 1 to 3 years before the palm is killed. For control
on palms, spots need to be found early and cut out. The area needs to then be
treated with coal tar. Dead palms should be removed.
For Heart rot of galip a crust of brown fungal threads and dirt (2-3 cm thick) forms
around the roots. The shelf like fruiting body has rings of ridges and is purple
brown on top and darker underneath. The fungus may only attack after plants are
weakened. Young trees can quickly be killed.
References: CMI Description of Plant pathogenic Fungi No 195 and Kranz, J.,
1977, Diseases, Pests and Weeds of Tropical Crops p 162
276
Phytophthora palmivora
This fungus causes a range of diseases on over 135 different plants. It attacks
cacao (Black pod), rubber (black stripe), pawpaw (root rot p128), coconut (Bud rot
p99), tree tomato (root rot) and others. It occurs in warm areas with a high rainfall.
Spores can spread by wind and rain. It can be in the soil.
With bud rot of coconut spots develop especially on young nuts and at the stalk
end. The fungus often occurs around the roots of coconuts and may spread from
here. The disease mostly starts following damage to the young nuts. Nuts fall off
early.
With root rot of pawpaw the older leaves turn yellow and collapse hanging limply
around the trunk. The young leaves then die and the plant dies. Large roots show
a soft wet decay and small roots are missing. Fruit can also be affected by this
fungus. Plants especially in wet areas die. For control avoid wet areas, do not
replant pawpaws into soil where the disease is known to occur, plant only disease
free trees from a nursery which has clean soil and avoid damage to pawpaw trunks
as this reduces trunk rot.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 831
Holliday, 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops CUP p
Krantz, J et al, (eds), 1977, Diseases, Pests and Weeds in Tropical Crops
Verlag Paul Parey p 121
277
References
In this book I have only listed a few references. They are meant to be the ones that
a field worker may at some stage be able to get access to or be able to make use of.
Naturally specialists have a large range of more specific books with much more
detail but often this has detailed information on the nature and recognition of the
fungus and other details that are not immediately useful to field workers. As well I
have tended to be biased towards books that have illustrations as this is the sort of
information a field officer needs to be able to at least attempt to work intelligently
with diseases as they are encountered by farmers.
Allen, D.J., 1983, The Pathology of Tropical Food Legumes. Wiley- Interscience.
Cook, A.A., 1975, Diseases of Tropical & Sub Tropical fruits and nuts. Hafner
CMI Description of Pathogenic Fungi - These are put out irregularly to give precise details on
the fungus and its naming. So far a little over 1,000 numbered sheets have been produced.
De Leon, C., 1978, Maize diseases A Guide for field identification CIMMYT Info Bull No11
Fahy, P.C. & Persley, G.J. (eds), 1983, Plant Bacterial Diseases A Diagnostic Guide Academic
Press
Frohlich, G & Rodewald, W, 1970, Pests & Disease of Tropical Crops Pergamom Press
Graham, K.M., 1971, Plant Diseases of Fiji. HMSO. Although getting a little old it is well
illustrated and in plain English.
Harvest. The quarterly magazine of the Department of Agriculture and Livestock in Papua New
Guinea which has regular good articles on pests and diseases suitable for field workers in the
country.
Holliday, P, 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops Cambridge Press Specialised on the
fungi. Not illustrated.
Hughes, C.G. et al (ed), 1964, Sugarcane diseases of the world. Vol 1.
Kranz, J et al (ed), 1977, Diseases, Pests and Weeds in Tropical Crops Verlag Paul Parey
Lozano, J.C. et al, 1976, Field problems in Cassava. CIAT.
Lozano, J.C. & Booth, R.H., Diseases of cassava. CIAT Series DE-5.
Martin, J.P. et al, 1961, Sugarcane Diseases of the World. Vol 1. Elsevier.
Ou, S.H., 1973, A Handbook of rice diseases in the tropics IRRI.
Persley, D.M., et al (eds),1989, Fruit and Nut Crops - a disease management guide. Queensland
DPI Information Series QI 88018
Pest Control in Bananas PANS Manual No 1
Pest Control in Groundnuts PANS Manual No 2
Pest Control in Rice PANS Manual No 3
Pest Control in Tropical Root Crops PANS Manual No4
Plant Pathology Notes. A numbered series produced by Plant Pathologists in Papua New
Guinea.
Ricaud, C et al, 1989, Diseases of Sugarcane. Elsevier.
Stover, R.H., 1972, Banana, Plantain and Abaca Diseases CAB
Schwartz, H.F. & Galvez, G.E.(ed), 1980, Bean production problems CIAT
Vock, N.T., 1978, A Handbook of plant diseases in Colour Two Volumes Queensland DPI.
Loose leaf books with good colour illustrations. Recommendation are revised regularly but are
often too specialised for Papua New Guinea subsistence farmers.
Wardlaw, C.N., 1971, Banana Diseases Longmans Press
278
Fungi causing diseases of food plants
Fungus Food plant
Alternaria brassicae Broccoli, Chinese cabbage, turnip
Alternaria brassicicola Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, turnip
Alternaria cichorii Chickory, endive,
Alternaria dauci Carrot
Alternaria passiflorae Passionfruit
Alternaria porri Bunching onion, leek, onion, shallot
Alternaria raphani Radish
Alternaria solani Potato, tomato
Aporhytisma urticae Castanopsis chestnuts
Armillaria mellea Banana, coffee, tea, cacao
Ascochyta citri Lemon
Ascochyta dolichi Lablab bean
Ascochyta erythrinae Indian coral tree
Aspergillus niger Peanut, beans, cassava, rice
Asterina sp.
Athelia rolfsii Capsicum, giant taro, artichoke, lettuce, naranjilla,
pawpaw, peanut, pomelo, potato, rice, sugarcane,
sunflower, sweet potato, tomato
Bipolaris incurvata Coconut
Bipolaris panici-miliacei Highland pitpit
Bipolaris sacchari Sugarcane
Bipolaris stenospila Sugarcane
Brachysporium arecae Betel nut
Borinquenia sp. Sooty mould
Botryodiplodia theobromae Peanut, pawpaw, citrus, coconut, apple, cassava,
sago, banana, nutmeg, avocado, wheat, corn, tea,
coffee, oil palm, cotton, hibiscus, cacao and other
trees
Capnodium sp. Sooty mould
Capnodium thuemenii Ficus
Ceratocystis fimbriata Sweet potato
Ceratocystis paradoxa Pineapple, coconut, sugarcane
Cercospora artocarpi Breadfruit
Cercospora beticola Silver beet, beetroot
Cercospora canescens Soybean, lablab bean, common bean, green gram,
cowpea, yard-long bean
Cercospora catappae Terminalia
Cercospora citrullina Watermelon, squash, bitter cucumber
Cercospora oryzae Rice
Cercospora physalidis Cape gooseberry
Cercospora sorghi Sorghum, corn
Cercospora taccae Polynesian arrowroot
Cercospora vexans Strawberry
Cercosporella sp. Sugarcane
Cercosporidium henningsii Cassava
Cerotelium fici Ficus
Chaetothyrium boedijnii Coffee, highland kapiak, cacao
Chaetothyrium fusisporum Finschia nuts
Chaetothyrium sp.
Choanephora cucurbitarum Silver beet, beetroot, chilli, pawpaw, taro, lablab
279
bean, cassava, winged bean, sorghum, rice bean
Cladosporium colocasiae Taro
Cladosporium musae Banana
Cladosporium oxysporum Common bean,
Clasterosporium cocoicola Coconut
Cochliobolus cynodontis Rice
Cochliobolus geniculatus Rice, wheat
Cochliobolus hawaiiensis Rice
Cochliobolus heterostrophus Sorghum, corn
Cochliobolus lunatus Pineapple, capsicum, eggplant, sorghum
Cochliobolus miyabeanus Rice
Colletotrichum capsici Soya bean, cassava
Colletotrichum circinans Onion, shallot
Colletotrichum lindemuthianum Common bean, winged bean
Colletotrichum musae Banana
Colletotrichum orbiculare Snake gourd
Cordana musae Banana
Corticium penicillatum Coconut
Corticium salmonicolor Soursop, sweetsop, jackfruit, lemon, orange, loquat,
mango, cassava, pepper, and other trees
Corynespora casiicola Pawpaw, tomato, common bean, cowpea
Crossopsora antidesmae-dioicae Chinese laurel
Curvularia sp. Pineapple, capsicum, centrosema, eggplant,
sorghum
Cylindrosporium dioscoreae Lesser yam
Deightoniella papuana Coastal pitpit, sugarcane
Deightoniella torulosa Banana
Diaporthe citri Citrus
Didymella lycopersici Tomato
Diplocarpon earlianum Strawberry
Elsinoe batatas Sweet potato
Elsinoe fawcetti Citrus
Entyloma oryzae Rice
Fulvia fulva Tomato
Fusarium equiseti Peanut, coconut, tomato, winged bean, potato,
sorghum
Fusarium lateritium Citrus, coffee, rice
Fusarium oxysporum Peanuts, sweet potato, banana, tomato, sorghum,
corn
Gaeumannomyces graminis Rice
Ganoderma lucidum Coconuts, tea, cacao
Gibberella baccata Citrus
Gibberella fujikuroi Rice, winged bean, coastal pitpit, sugarcane,
sorghum,
Glomerella cingulata Soursop, betel nut, five corner, capsicum, pawpaw,
lemon, grapefruit, coconut, tree tomato, yam, soya
bean, mango, cassava, granadilla, avocado, guava,
ginger
Glomerella tucumanensis Coastal pitpit, sugarcane
Goplana australis Yam
Goplana dioscoreae Greater yam, yam
Graphium sp.
280
Guignardia calami Betel nut
Guignardia dioscoreae Lesser yam
Guignardia musae Banana
Hamaspora acutissima Raspberry
Helotium inocarpi Aila
Lembosia pandani Pandanus
Lembosia terminaliae Terminalia
Leptosphaeria sacchari Sugarcane
Leptosphaerulina trifolii Peanut
Leveillula taurica Cotton, potato, capsicum
Macrophoma pandani Pandanus
Macrophomina phaseolina Coconut, banana, beans
Magnaporthe grisea Rye, etc
Magnaporthe salvinii Rice
Marasmiellus epochnous Mint
Marasmius crinisequi Coconut
Melanographium sp. Sago
Meliola sp.
Meliola citricola Lime, citrus
Meliola erythrinae Indian coral tree
Meliola juttingii Pandanus
Meliola mangiferae Mango
Memnoniella echinata Secondary on many plants
Metasphaeria oryzae-sativae Rice
Microxyphium sp.
Mycosphaerella alocasiae Giant taro
Mycosphaerella arachidis Peanut
Mycosphaerella berkeleyi Peanut
Mycosphaerella brassicicola Chinese cabbage, cabbage
Mycosphaerella caricae Pawpaw
Mycosphaerella cruenta Cowpeas
Mycosphaerella fijiensis Banana
Mycosphaerella fragariae Strawberry
Mycosphaerella henningsii Cassava
Mycosphaerella musicola Banana
Mycosphaerella pinodes Pea
Mycovellosiella cajani Pigeon pea
Mycovellosiella koepkei Coastal pitpit, sugarcane
Mycovellosiella oryzae Rice
Mycovellosiella phaseoli Beans
Mycovellosiella puerariae Kudzu
Myrothecium roridum Aibika, tapa plant, soya bean, hibiscus, betel pepper,
and ornamentals
Neojohnstonia colocasiae Taro
Nigrospora sphaerica Secondary on many plants
Oidium sp. Aibika, pawpaw, watermelon, melon, cucumber,
pumpkin, squash, bitter cucumber, winged bean,
Penicillium sp.
Periconia byssoides Common bean,
Peronosclerospora sacchari Sugarcane
Peronosclerospora sp.
Peronospora parasitica Chinese cabbage
281
Pestalotia eugeniae Surinam cherry
Pestalotiopsis palmarum Coconut
Phaeocytostroma sacchari Sugarcane
Phaeodactylium alpiniae Turmeric
Phaeoisariopsis griseola Common bean
Phaeoseptoria oryzae Rice
Phakopsora pachyrhizi Soybean
Phakopsora vignae Lima bean
Phanerochaete salmonicolor Soursop, sweetsop, jackfruit, lemon, orange, loquat,
mango, cassava, pepper, and other trees
Phellinus noxius Lime, coconut, mango, avocado, pepper, tea, coffee,
oil palm, rubber, cacao
Phoma exigua Lima bean, potato
Phoma pomorum Apple
Phoma destructiva Tomato
Phoma sorghina Polytoca macrophylla
Phomopsis ipomoea-batatas Sweet potato
Phyllachora coicis Job's tears
Phyllachora graminis Job's tears
Phyllachora kaernbachii Ficus
Phyllachora minutissima Highland pitpit
Phyllachora musicola Banana
Phyllachora sacchari Coastal pitpit, sugarcane,
Phyllosiphon sp.
Phyllosticta dioscoreae Lesser yam
Phytophthora cinnamomi Avocado
Phytophthora citricola Chinese taro
Phytophthora colocasiae Taro
Phytophthora cryptogea
Phytophthora infestans Potato
Phytophthora palmivora Pawpaw, coconut, tree tomato, oil palm, rubber,
cacao
Phytophthora nicotianae Aibika, tomato, passionfruit, avocado,
Pithomyces sacchari Secondary on many plants
Plasmopara viticola Grapes
Pleocyta sacchari Sugarcane
Podonectria sp. Mandarin
Pseudocercospora fuligena Tomato
Pseudocercospora protensa Elephant foot yam
Pseudocercospora psophocarpi Winged bean
Pseudocercospora timorensis Sweet potato
Pseudocercospora ubi Potato yam, yam
Pseudoepicoccum cocos Coconut
Pseudoperonospora cubensis Melon, cucumber, pumpkin, squash, bitter
cucumber
Puccinia arachidis Peanut
Puccinia finschiae Finschia nuts
Puccinia kuehnii Coastal pitpit, sugarcane
Puccinia nakanishikii Lemon grass
Puccinia operta Job's tears
Puccinia polysora Corn
Puccinia sorghi Corn
282
Pyrenochaeta sp. Coffee
Pyricularia zingiberi Ginger
Pythium arrhenomanes Chinese taro
Pythium butleri Citrus, cucumber, tomato, common bean, eggplant,
potato,
Pythium deliense Cucumber
Pythium irregulare Watermelon
Pythium splendens Cucumber, banana
Pythium vexans Pineapple, coconut, banana and cacao
Ramichloridium musae Banana
Ramulispora sacchari Sugarcane
Rhizoctonia solani Peanut, Ceylon spinach, cabbage, capsicum, chilli,
pawpaw, coconut, carrot, lablab bean, tomato, mint,
common bean, pepper, winged bean, potato,
sorghum, cowpea, corn, ginger, coffee, oil palm,
eucalyptus, rubber, leucaena, siratro, tobacco,
geranium, patchouli, stylo, teak & cacao
Rhizopus stolonifer Peanut, sweet potato, cassava, wheat
Rigidoporus microporus Coconut, tea, coffee, oil palm, rubber, leucaena and
cacao
Sarcopodium vanillae Tahitian vanilla
Sclerotinia fuckeliana Shallot, sunflower
Septoria apiicola Celery
Septoria lactucae Lettuce
Septoria lycopersici Tomato
Setosphaerica turcica Corn
Sphaceloma fawcettii Lemon, citron, Clymenia
Sphacelotheca reiliana Sorghum
Sphaerotheca fuliginea Cowpea
Sphaerulina sp. Rice, sago
Spongospora subterranea Potato
Sporidesmium macrurum Coconut, coffee
Stachylidium bicolor Pineapple, coffee
(Stagonospora sacchari Sugarcane)
Stemphylium lycopersici Tomato
Streptomyces scabies Potato
Synchytrium minutum Kudzu
Synchytrium phaseoli Rice bean
Synchytrium psophocarpi Winged bean
Taphrina deformans Peach
Thanatephorus cucumeris Peanut, Ceylon spinach, cabbage, capsicum, chilli,
pawpaw, coconut, carrot, lablab bean, tomato, mint,
common bean, pepper, winged bean, potato,
sorghum, cowpea, corn, ginger, coffee, oil palm,
eucalyptus, rubber, leucaena, siratro, tobacco,
geranium, patchouli, stylo, teak & cacao
Thanatephorus sasakii Rice
Tranzschelia pruni-spinosae Peach
Trichobotrys pannosa Pineapple
Uncinula necator Grapes
Uredo alocasiae Giant taro
Uredo artocarpi Breadfruit family
283
Uredo dioscorea-sativae Potato yam
Uredo musae Banana
Uredo palmifoliae Highland pitpit
Uromyces appendiculatus Common bean, yard-long bean, cowpea
Uromyces musae Banana
Uromyces setariae-italicae Highland pitpit
Uromyces viciae-fabae Broad bean
Ustilaginoidea virens Rice
Ustilago avenae Oats
Ustilago zeae Corn
Verrucispora proteacearum Finschia nuts
Zygosporium gibbum Sago
284
Fungi, Bacteria, Algae, Nematodes and viruses causing diseases.
Fungi are often very small. This means they are hard to study. As well, there are a very
large number of fungi. And they have very complicated lifecycles. Sometimes they have sexual
lifecycles and sometimes they have asexual lifecycles. As well the sexual and asexual stages can
vary. As well as that, many fungi look different when they are collected from different plants, or
are grown in a laboratory, or are grown at different temperatures and moisture levels. For many
fungi the sexual stage has not yet been found and sometimes when the sexual and asexual stages
are seen separately it is not realised, or difficult to prove that they are two stages of the same
fungus. At times people simply make mistakes when they are describing fungi. For these and
other reasons, there are often different names for the same fungus or the name changes
sometimes several times. This becomes confusing but without using scientific names it would
not be possible to be sure that two people looking at some similar disease on a crop were in fact
talking about the same cause. It is for this reason that scientific names and naming is important.
The names look confusing but in the Latin language they have a meaning. The list that follows
is for the different names that have been used for fungi causing diseases of food plants in Papua
New Guinea. I have tried to put the sexual name for the fungus as this is eventually the most
reliable, but at times another name is used and the list will refer you back to the other names or
the name of the sexual stage. You may not need this list, but then some people will not be able
to make good use of the book without this list.
Acroconidiellina arecae
Actinopeltis sp.
Alternaria alternata
Alternaria brassicae
Alternaria brassicicola
Alternaria cichorii
Alternaria cucumerina
Alternaria dauci
Alternaria padwickii See Trichoconiella padwickii
Alternaria passiflorae
Alternaria porri
Alternaria raphani
Alternaria solani
Alternaria tenuis
Anthostomella cylindrospora
Anthostomella fusispora
Aphelenchoides sp. Nematode
Aphelenchoides parietinus See Aphelenchus parietinus
Aphelenchus avenae Nematode
Aphelenchus parietinus Nematode
Apiospora camptospora
Apomelasmia urticae See Aporhytisma urticae
Aporhytisma urticae
Armillaria mellea
Armillariella mellea See Armillaria mellea
Ascochyta citri
Ascochyta convolvuli
Ascochyta dolichi
Ascochyta erythrinae
285
Ascochyta phaseolarum See Phoma exigua
Ascochyta pinodes See Mycosphaerella pinodes
Ascochyta rhei
Aspergillus flavus
Aspergillus melleus
Aspergillus niger
Asterina sp.
Athelia rolfsii
Beniowskia spaeroides
Bipolaris cynodontis See Cochliobolus cynodontis
Bipolaris hawaiiensis See Cochliobolus hawaiiensis
Bipolaris incurvata
Bipolaris maydis See Cochliobolus heterstrophus
Bipolaris oryzae See Cochliobolus miyabeanus
Bipolaris panici-miliacei
Bipolaris sacchari
Bipolaris sorghicola
Bipolaris stenospila
Bipolaris zeae
Brachysporium arecae
Borinquenia sp.
Botryodiplodia theobromae
Botryosphaeria festucae
Botrysporium sp.
Botryotinia fuckeliana
Botrytis cinerea See Botryotinia fuckeliana
Botrytis sp.
Brachysporium arecae See Acroconidiellina arecae
Bursaphalenchus sp. Nematode
Capnodium sp.
Capnodium thuemenii
Cephaleuros pulvinatus See Cephaleuros virescens
Cephaleuros virescens Alga
Ceratelium fici
Ceratocystis fimbriata
Ceratocystis paradoxa
Ceratostomella fimbriata See Ceratocystis fimbriata
Ceratostomella paradoxa See Ceratocystis paradoxa
Cercospora arachidicola See Mycosphaerella arachidis
Cercospora artocarpi See Pseudocercospora artocarpi
Cercospora batatae See Pseudocercospora timorensis
Cercospora bataticola See Phaeoisariopsis bataticola
Cercopora beticola
Cercospora brassicicola See Mycosphaerella brassicicola
Cercospora canescens
Cercospora catappae
Cercospora citrullina
Cercospora cruenta See Mycosphaerella cruenta
Cercospora diffusa
Cercospora dioscoreae-pyrifoliae See Mycosphaerella papuana
Cercospora fijiensis See Mycosphaerella fijiensis
Cercopsora fuligena See Pseudocercospora fuligena
286
Cercospora henningsii See Mycosphaerella henningsii
Cercospora koepkei See Mycovellosiella koepkei
Cercospora longipes
Cercospora longissima
Cercospora musae See Mycosphaerella musicola
Cercospora oryzae See Sphaerulina oryzina
Cercospora papayae
Cercspora penzigii
Cercospora personata See Mycosphaerella berkeleyi
Cercospora physalidis
Cercospora protensa See Pseudocercospora protensa
Cercospora psophocarpi See Pseudocercospora psophocarpi
Cercospora sorghi
Cercospora taccae
Cercospora timorensis See Pseudocercospora timorensis
Cercospora ubi See Pseudocercospora ubi
Cercospora vexans See Cercosporina vexans
Cercosporella sp. See Ramulispora sacchari
Cercosporidium henningsii See Mycosphaerella henningsii
Cercosporidium personatum See Mycosphaerella berkeleyi
Cercosporina vexans
Cerotelium fici
Chaetomium sp.
Chaetophoma sp.
Chaetothyrium boedijnii
Chaetothyrium fusisporum
Chaetothyrium sp.
Chloridium musae See Veroneae musae & Periconiella musae
Choanephora cucurbitarum
Cladosporium atriellum
Cladosporium colocasiae
Cladosporium fulvum See Fulvia fulvum
Cladosporium herbarum
Cladosporium musae
Cladosporium oxysporum
Clasterosporium cocoicola
Cochliobolus bicolour
Cochliobolus cynodontis
Cochliobolus geniculatus
Cochliobolus hawaiiensis
Cochliobolus heterostrophus See Bipolaris maydis
Cochliobolus lunatus
Cochliobolus miyabeanus
Colletotrichum capsici
Colletotrichum circinans
Colletotrichum falcatum See Glomerella tucumanensis
Colletotrichum gloeosporioides See Glomerella cingulata
Colletotrichum graminicola
Colletotrichum lagenarium See Colletotrichum orbiculare
Colletotrichum lindemuthianum
Colletotrichum musae
Colletotrichum orbiculare
287
Cordana musae
Corticium penicillatum
Corticium rolfsii See Athelia rolfsii
Corticium salmonicolor See Phanerochaete salmonicolor
Corticium sasakii See Thanatephorus sasakii
Corticium solani See Thanatephorus cucumeris
Corynespora cassiicola
Corynespora sp.
Crossopsora antidesmae-dioicae
Curvularia geniculata See Cochliobolus geniculatis
Curvularia lunata See Cochliobolus lunatus
Curvularia sp.
Cylindricocarpon musae
Cylindrosporium dioscoreae
Cytoplea sp.
Dactylaria dioscoreae
Deightoniella papuana
Deightoniella torulosa
Diaporthe citri
Dictyosporium toruloides
Didymella citri
Didymella lycopersici
Didymella sp.
Diplocarpon earlianum
Diplodia sp.
Dreschlera bicolor See Cochliobolus bicolor
Dreschlera cynodontus See Cochliobolus cynodontus
Dreschlera hawaiiensis See Cochliobolus hawaiiensis
Dreschlera incurvata See Bipolaris incurvata
Dreschlera oryzae See Cochliobolus miyabeanus
Dreschlera panici-miliacei See Bipolaris panici-miliacei
Dreschlera maydis See Bipolaris maydis
Dreschlera sacchari See Bipolaris sacchari
Dreschlera sorghicola See Bipolaris sorghicola
Dreschlera stenospila See Bipolaris stenospila
Dreschlera turcica See Setosphaeria turcica
Elsinoe batatas
Elsinoe fawcetti
Enterobacter cloacae
Enterobacterium sp. Bacterium
Entyloma oryzae
Epicoccum cocos See Pseudoepicoccum cocos
Epicoccum nigrum
Epicoccum purpurascens See Epicoccum nigrum
Epicoccum sp.
Erwinia herbicola Bacterium
Erwinia carotovora subsp. Bacterium
atroseptica
Erwinia carotovora subsp. Bacterium
carotovora
Erwinia chrysanthemi Bacterium
Erysiphe cichoracearum
288
Exserohilum turcicum See Setosphaeria turcica
Flavobacterium sp. Bacterium
Flavodan flavus
Fomes lignosus See Rigidoporus microporus
Fomes lucidus See Ganoderma lucidum
Fomes noxius See Phellinus noxius
Fulvia fulvum
Fusarium equiseti
Fusarium lateritium
Fusarium moniliforme See Gibberella fujikuroi
Fusarium moniliforme var.
subglutinans
Fusarium oxysporum
Fusarium semitectum
Fusarium solani
Gaeumannomyces graminis
Ganoderma lucidum
Geotrichum candidum
Geotrichum sp.
Gibberella baccata See Fusarium lateritium
Gibberella fujikuroi
Gibberella intricans See Fusarium equiseti
Gloeosporium sp.
Gloeosporium catechu See Glomerella cingulata
Gloeosporium musarum See Colletotrichum musae or Glomerella cingulata
Gloeosporium pestis See Glomerella cingulata
Glomerella cingulata
Glomerella tucumanensis
Goplana australis
Goplana dioscoreae
Graphium sp.
Guignardia arecae See Guignardiae calami
Guignardia calami
Guignardia dioscoreae
Guignardia musae
Hamaspora acutissima
Hansfordia pulvinate
Haplobasidion musae
Helicobasidium purpureum
Helicotylenchus multicinctus Nematode
Helminthosporium hawaiiensis See Cochliobolus hawaiiensis
Helminthosporium incurvatum See Bipolaris incurvata
Helminthosporium maydis See Cochliobolus heterostrophus
Helminthosporium oryzae See Cochliobolus miyabeanus
Helminthosporium sacchari See Bipolaris sacchari
Helminthosporium stenospila See Bipolaris stenospila
Helminthosporium torulosum See Deightoniella torulosa
Helminthosporium turcicum See Setosphaeria turcica
Helminthosporium sp.
Helotium inocarpi
Hexogonia umbrosa See Pseudofavolus polygrammus
Hirschmanniella miticausa Nematode
289
Hoplolaimus seinhorsti Nematode
Illosporium sp.
Isariopsis griseola See Phaeoisariopsis griseola
Johnstonia colocasiae See Neojohnstonia colocasiae
Kuskia oryzae
Leiosphaerella longispora
Lembosia pandani
Lembosia terminaliae
Leptosphaeria coniothyrium
Leptosphaeria oryzina
Leptosphaeria sacchari
Leptosphaeria salvinii See Magnaporthe salvinii
Leptosphaerulina trifolii
Longidorus sp.
Macrophoma musae See Guignardia musae
Macrophoma pandani
Macrophomina phaseolina
Macrophomina phaseoli See Macrophomina phaseolina
Magnaporthe grisea
Magnaporthe salvinii
Marasmiellus epochnous
Marasmiellus inoderma
Marasmiellus semiustus
Marasmius crinisequi
Marasmius palmivorus
Marasmius sacchari
Marasmius semiustus See Marasmiellus semiustus
Marssonina fragariae
Melanconium palmarum
Melanographium sp.
Meliola sp.
Meliola citricola
Meliola erythrinae
Meliola erythrinae var.
psophocarpi
Meliola juttingii
Meliola mangiferae
Meloidogyne hapla Nematode
Meloidogyne incognita Nematode
Meloidogyne javanica Nematode
Metasphaeria oryzae-sativae
Microxyphium sp.
Monodisma fragilis
Monilia sp.
Moniliochaetes infuscans
Mucor hiemalis
Mycosphaerella alocasiae
Mycosphaerella arachidicola See Mycosphaerella arachidis
Mycosphaerella arachidis
Mycosphaerella berkeleyi
Mycosphaerella brassicicola
Mycosphaerella caricae
290
Mycosphaerella contraria
Mycosphaerella cruenta
Mycosphaerella fijiensis
Mycosphaerella fragariae
Mycosphaerella henningsii
Mycosphaerella holci
Mycosphaerella melonis
Mycosphaerella musicola
Mycosphaerella papuana
Mycosphaerella pinodes
Mycosphaerella striatiformis
Mycovellosiella cajani
Mycovellosiella koepkei
Mycovellosiella oryzae
Mycovellosiella phaseoli
Mycovellosiella puerariae
Myrothecium roridum
Nectria haematococca See Fusarium solani
Neojohnstonia colocasiae
Nigrospora oryzae See Khuskia oryzae
Nigrospora sphaerica
Nigrospora sacchari
Nigrospora sp.
Oidium caricae
Oidium tuckeri See Uncinula necator
Oidium sp. See also Erysiphe sp.
Ophiobolus oryzinus See Gaeumannomyces graminis
Paecilomyces sp.
Paracercospora fijiensis See Mycosphaerella fijiensis
Pellicularia filamentosa See Thanatephorus cucumeris
Penicillium citrinum
Penicillium digitatum
Penicillium funiculosum
Penicillium italicum
Penicillium javanicum
Penicillium vermiculatum See Talaromyces flavus
Penicillium sp.
Periconia byssoides
Periconia minutissima
Periconiella musae See also Veronaea musae
Peronosclerospora miscanthi
Peronosclerospora sacchari
Peronosclerospora sorghi
Peronosclerospora sp.
Peronospora parasitica
Peronospora trifoliorum
Pestalotia eugeniae
Pestalotia palmarum See Pestalotiopsis palmarum
Pestalotiopsis disseminata
Pestalotiopsis japonica
Pestalotiopsis palmarum
Pestalotiopsis papposa
291
Pestalotiopsis psidii
Pestalotiopsis strictica
Pestalotiopsis theae
Pestalotiopsis sp.
Phaeocytostroma sacchari
Phaeodactylium alpiniae
Phaeoisariopsis bambusae
Phaeoisariopsis bataticola
Phaeoisariopsis griseola
Phaeoseptoria oryzae
Phakopsora pachyrhizi
Phakopsora vignae
Phanerochaete salmonicolor
Phellinus gilvus
Phellinus noxius
Phoma exigua
Phoma pomorum
Phoma destructiva
Phoma sorghina See Mycosphaerella holci
Phomopsis citri See Diaporthe citri
Phomopsis ipomoea-batatas
Phyllachora coicis
Phyllachora graminis
Phyllachora kaernbachii
Phyllachora minutissima
Phyllachora musicola
Phyllachora sacchari
Phyllosiphon sp. Alga
Phyllosticta batatas See Phomopsis ipomoea-batatas
Phyllosticta dioscoreae See Guignardia dioscoreae
Phyllosticta musarum See Guignardia musae
Phyllosticta sp.
Phyllostictina musarum See Guignardia musae
Physalospora tucumanensis
Phytophthora cinnamomi
Phytophthora citricola
Phytophthora colocasiae
Phytophthora cryptogea
Phytophthora infestans
Phytophthora palmivora
Phytophthora nicotianae var.
nicotianae
Phytophthora nicotianae var.
parasitica
Phytomonas citri See Xanthomonas campestris var citri
Pithomyces chartarum
Pithomyces sacchari
Plasmopara viticola
Plectronidium minor
Pleocyta sacchari See Phaeocytostroma sacchari
Podonectria sp.
Polyporus gilvus See Phellinus gilvus
292
Practylenchus sp. Nematode
Proboscispora manihotis
Pseudocercospora artocarpi
Pseudocercospora cruenta See Mycosphaerella cruenta & M. contraria
Pseudocercospora fijiensis See Mycosphaerella fijiensis
Pseudocercospora fuligena
Pseudocercospora musae See Mycosphaerella musicola
Pseudocercospora protensa
Pseudocercospora psophocarpi
Pseudocercospora stahlii
Pseudocercospora timorensis
Pseudocercospora ubi
Pseudocercospora ubicola
Pseudoepicoccum cocos
Pseudofavolus polygrammus
Pseudomonas cepacia Bacterium
Pseudomonas solanacearum Bacterium
Pseudomonas syringae pv Bacterium
maculicola
Pseudoperonospora cubensis
Pteroconium sp. See Apiospora camptospora
Puccinia arachidis
Puccinia citrata See Puccinia nakanishikii
Puccinia finschiae
Puccinia kuehnii
Puccinia nakanishikii
Puccinia operta
Puccinia paullula
Puccinia polysora
Puccinia purpurea
Puccinia sorghi
Pyrenochaeta sp.
Pyricularia grisea See Magnaporthe grisea
Pyricularia oryzae
Pyricularia zingiberi
Pythium arrhenomanes
Pythium butleri
Pythium carolinianum
Pythium deliense
Pythium irregulare
Pythium myriotylum
Pythium spendens
Pythium vexans
Radopholus similis Nematode
Ramichloridium musae See Periconiella musae & Veronaea musae
Ramularia deusta See Mycovellosiella phaseoli
Ramularia phaseoli See Mycovellosiella phaseoli
Ramularia sp.
Ramularia oryzae See Mycovellosiella oryzae
Ramulispora sacchari
Rhabditis sp. Nematode
Rhizoctonia solani See Thanatephorus cucumeris
293
Rhizopus nigricans See Rhizopus stolonifer
Rhizopus stolonifer
Rigidoporus lignosus
Rigidoporus microporus
Rotylenchus sp. Nematode
Sarcopodium vanillae
Schiffnerula mirabilis
Sclerospora sacchari See Peronosclerospora sacchari
Sclerotinia fuckeliana See Botryotinia fuckeliana
Sclerotium rolfsii See Athelia rolfsii
Scolecotrichum musae See Cordana musae
Scopulariopsis brevicaulus
Scutellina badio-berberis
Scutellonema sp.
Septoria apiicola
Septoria lactucae
Septoria lycopersici
Septoria oryzae
Setosphaerica turcica
Sphaceloma batatas See Elsinoe batatas
Sphaceloma fawcettii See Elsinoe fawcettii
Sphaceloma fawcettii var scabiosa
Sphaceloma reiliana
Sphacelotheca reiliana
Sphacelotheca sorghi
Sphaerophragmium boanense
Sphaerotheca fuliginea
Sphaerulina sp.
Spaerulina oryzina
Spongospora subterranean
Sporidesmium macrurum
Stachylidium bicolor
Stagonospora sacchari
Stagonospora sp.
Stemphylium lycopersici
Stigmina mangiferae
Streptomyces scabies Bacterium
Synchytrium minutum
Synchytrium phaseoli
Synchytrium psophocarpi
Talaromyces flavus
Taphrina deformans
Tetraploa aristate
Thanatephorus cucumeris
Thanatephorus sasakii
Thielaviopsis paradoxa See Ceratocystis paradoxa
Tiarosporella madreeya
Tranzschelia pruni-spinosae
Trematosphaerella bambusae
Trichobotrys pannosa
Trichoconiella padwickii
Trichoderma sp.
294
Trichoderma koningii
Trichoderma viridus
Trichometasphaeria turcica See Setosphaeria turcica
Tripospermum sp.
Tylenchus semipenetrans Nematode
Uncinula necator
Uredo alocasiae
Uredo artocarpi
Uredo dioscoreae-sativae
Uredo hiulca See Goplana dioscoreae
Uredo musae
Uredo operta See Puccinia operta
Uredo palmifoliae
Uredo passiflorae
Uromyces appendiculatus
Uromyces dolichi See Uromyces appendiculatus
Uromyces fabae See Uromyces viciae-fabae
Uromyces leptodermus See Uromyces setariae-italicae
Uromyces musae
Uromyces phaseoli See Uromyces appendiculatus
Uromyces setariae-italicae
Uromyces viciae-fabae
Uromyces vignae See Uromyces appendiculatus
Ustilaginoidea virens
Ustilago avenae
Ustilago maydis See also Ustilago zeae
Ustilago zeae
Ustulina deusta
Veronaea musae
Verrucispora proteacearum
Verticillium intertextum
Verticillium sp.
Volutella sp.
Wentiomyces javanicus
Xanthomonas campestris pv Bacterium
aracearum
Xanthomonas campestris pv Bacterium
betlicola
Xanthomonas campestris pv citri Bacterium
Xanthomonas campestris pv Bacterium
campestris
Xanthomonas campestris pv Bacterium
glycines
Xanthomonas campestris pv Bacterium
vesicatoria
Xanthomonas citri See Xanthomonas campestris var. citri
Xanthomonas phaseoli Bacterium
Xiphinema sp. Nematode
Xylohypha sp.
Zygosporium gibbum
Zygosporium parasiticum See Zygosporium gibbum
295
Plant disease index