Diseases of Food Plants in Papu - Bruce R. French

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Diseases
of
Food plants
in
Papua New Guinea
A compendium
Bruce R French
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DEDICATION
This book is dedicated to

the God that Amos
the farmer of the Old Testament knew.
Amos saw both pest and disease
as an integral part of the world
under both God's control
and under people's responsible care
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The financial assistance of CARE Australia in supporting me while I finalised

the compilation of these books is very gratefully acknowledged.
My sincere thanks to Derek Tomlinson for checking the document in 1993
Many others have assisted me including many village people and farmers who
have shown me around their gardens.
I regret that many diseases do not have photos available
Compiled 1994, Published as a pdf book 2006
Current address:
Bruce R French
38 West St Burnie
Tasmania 7320
Australia
Phone (03) 64321080

Email: bfrench@vision.net.au
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Contents
Section Topic Page

1 Plant disease 4
2 Known diseases on food plants 10
3 Aibika diseases 35
4 Avocado diseases 40
5 Banana diseases 41
6 Bean diseases 57
7 Betel nut and breadfruit diseases 82
8 Cabbage family diseases 86
9 Cassava diseases 93
10 Citrus diseases 96
11 Coconut diseases 104
12 Corn diseases 111
13 Onion family diseases 121
14 Pandanus diseases 125
15 Passionfruit family diseases 128
16 Pawpaw diseases 132
17 Peanut diseases 138
18 Potato diseases 147
19 Pumpkin family diseases 158
20 Rice diseases 165
21 Sugarcane diseases (and pitpits) 178
22 Sweet potato diseases 202
23 Taro family diseases 212
24 Tomato family diseases 223
25 Yam diseases 235
26 Other diseases - carrot, celery, fig, galip, grapes, 244
lettuce, mango, peach, pineapple, silver beet,
strawberry
27 Other general diseases - anthracnose, sooty moulds, 260
pink rot, nematodes etc
28 References 259
29 Fungi on crops 260
Scientific names 265
Fungi - synonyms
30 Index - Common name of disease 273
31 Photos of other diseases 300
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What is a plant disease?
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.
1. Wrong growing conditions. If a plant is in a place that is too cold or too

wet or too shady or too dry or too salty or something else wrong with the
conditions where you are trying to grow it, then it won't grow properly.
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 cause of disease
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
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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.)
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The signs of a disease
Village people have normally never had a chance to look down a

microscope and see what causes a disease. So they often don't know much about
what really causes a disease. They may in fact have learned by practice and
careful observation that plants get less sick if they are grown a certain way but they
may not understand the reasons for what they do. This is probably very true of
traditional yam culture where people often blame sick yams on “lightning” for the
disease called anthracnose, or “magic” for some of the virus diseases.
Nevertheless they have learned by experience that if yam vines are carefully staked
where the leaves can dry quickly and get air blowing around them then the disease
(anthracnose) gets less. Similarly in Bougainville the people blamed the Japanese
for poisoning their taro because they didn't understand about the taro blight fungus.
Nevertheless they knew that taro would still grow in the hills even if they didn't
understand that the fungus only occurs in hot wet places not in the cool hills.
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.
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When we talk about diseases of plants there are some standard words that
are used. They describe what the disease looks like.
How to find the disease in this book?
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.
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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.
Bad damage Moderate damage Slight damage

Tomato Potato Chillies
Lettuce Eggplant Spring onions
Carrot Cucumber Leek
Pawpaw Cabbage Amaranth
Beans
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.
Nematode damage is controlled by crop rotation, using resistant varieties of

crops, and by building up the amount of rotting plant material in the soil. Many
farmers have found that plants called African marigolds (Tagetes sp.) also help
because the nematodes burrow into these plants but then die. The farmers grow a
crop of marigolds before they plant a sensitive crop.
Other kinds of nematodes as well as root knot nematodes occur, but many of
these have not yet been well studied.
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Root knot
nematode
damage to
lettuce
roots
The diagram shows root knot damage to winged bean roots.

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DISEASES ON FOOD CROPS
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
Aila nut (Inocarpus fagifer)

Fungus Helotium inocarpi
Amaranth
Leaf spot Fungus Alternaria sp.
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.
Seedling wilt Fungus Phytophthora nicotianae var. nicotianae
Stem canker & dieback Fungus Phytophthora sp.
Algal spot (red rust) Alga Cephaleuros virescens 274
Bambara groundnut (Voandzeia subterranea)

Leaf blight Fungus Phyllosticta sp.
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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 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
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
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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.
Beetroot (See silver beet)

Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne sp. 271
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
Downy mildew Fungus Pseudoperonospora cubensis 160
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
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Brussels sprouts
Bunching onion (A. fistulosum)

Leaf spot Fungus Alternaria porri 122
Cabbage
Leaf spot Fungus Colletotrichum sp. 261
and Phomopsis sp.
Soft rot Bacterium Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora 87
Damping off Fungus Pythium sp. 265
Candle nut
Leaf spot
Cantaloupe (See Melon)
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.
Storage rot Bacterium Erwinia carotovora 263
Bacterial leaf spot Bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria
Leaf distortion Virus Possibly potato virus y
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Carambola (See Five corner)
Cardamom
Carrot
Leaf spot Fungus Alternaria dauci 245
Tuber rot Fungus Athelia rolfsii
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
Blight leaf spot or tip Fungus Colletotrichum capsici
die back
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
Leaf spot/Ring spot Fungus Mycosphaerella brassicicola 92
Celery
Septoria leaf spot Fungus Septoria apiicola 246
Root knot nematode Nematode Meloidogyne sp. 271
15
Ceylon spinach (Basella)

Large leaf spot Fungus Thanatephorus cucumeris 266
Leaf spot Fungus Curvularia sp.
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.
Chinese cabbage
Black leaf spot Fungus Mycosphaerella brassicicola 92
Leaf spot Fungus Septoria sp.
Wet rot Fungus Choanephora cucurbitarum 267
Leaf wilt (Soft rot) Bacterium Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora 262
Seedling wilt Fungus Fusarium oxysporum
Chinese cherry (See Lovi-lovi)
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 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 blotch Fungus Phyllosticta sp.
Leaf spot Possibly virus
Citron
Scab Fungus Sphaceloma fawcettii var. scabiosa 103
Cluster bean (Guar bean)

Powdery mildew Fungus Oidium sp. 267
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
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
Cowpeas (and snake bean)

Leaf spot Fungus Ascochyta phaseolarum
Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora canescens 64
Leaf spot Fungus Corynespora cassiicola
Root rot Fungus Fusarium sp.
and Athelia rolfsii 264
Leaf spot Fungus Phoma exigua 62
Powdery mildew Fungus Sphaerotheca fuliginea
Mosaic Virus Cowpea mosaic virus 68
Storage rot Fungus Botrydiplodia theobromae 265
Cucumber
Leaf spot Fungus Alternaria alternata
Leaf blight Fungus Aschochyta phaseolorum
Leaf scorch Fungus Cladosporium sp associated
With fruit rot Fungus Choanephora cucurbitarum 267
Gummy stem blight Fungus Mycosphaerella melonis
Damping off Fungi Pythium butleri 265
and Pythium deliense
Fruit rot Bacterium Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora 262
18
Storage rot Fungus Colletotrichum sp. 261
and Fusarium sp.
and Phoma exigua
and Pythium sp. 265
Custard apple (See Sweetsop)
Daka (Betel pepper)

Diffuse black spot Fungus Myrothecium roridum
Mosaic Virus
Durian
Eggplant
Collar & stem rot Fungus Pythium butleri 265
Root rot Fungus Fusarium oxysporum
Storage rot Fungus Alternaria sp.
and Botrydiplodia theobromae 265
and Curvularia lunata
Elephant foot yam

Leaf spot Fungus Pseudocercospora protensa
Rough blotched leaves Virus
(unconfirmed)
Endive
Leaf spot Fungus Alternaria cichorii
Ficus wassa Kumu musong

Tar spot Fungus Phyllachora kaernbachii
Sooty mould Fungus Capnodium thuemenii 270
Rust Fungus Cerotelium fici 247
Finschia nuts
Black mould Fungus Chaetothyrium fusisporum
Black leaf mould Fungus Verrucispora proteacearum
Rust Fungus Puccinia finschiae
Five corner
Leaf spot
Five leaflet yam

Leaf spot Fungus
Rust Fungus Uredo dioscoreae-sativae 239
19
Galip (Canarium almond)

Heart rot Fungus Phellinus noxius 248
Garlic
Giant taro
Leaf spot Fungus Mycosphaerella alocasiae
Rust Fungus Uredo alocasiae
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)
Granadilla
Stem death Fungus Glomerella cingulata 261
Chlorotic spot Virus Chlorotic spot virus 130
Grapefruit
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
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
Green gram bean

Yellow mosaic Possibly
virus
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
Indian coral tree

Leaf spot Fungus Ascochyta erythrinae
Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora sp.
Sooty mould Fungus Meliola erythrinae 270
Jackbean
Leaves distorted Possibly virus
Jackfruit
Pink Disease Fungus Phanerochaete salmonicolor 260
Japanese cherry
Root rot Fungus Phellinus noxius
Java almond
Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora catappae
Sooty mould Fungus Lembosia terminaliae 270
Jerusalem artichoke
21
Job's tears
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
Small twisted leaves Probably virus
Leek
Leaf blight Fungus Alternaria porri 122
Leaf rot Fungi Fusarium sp.
and Pythium sp.
Lemon
Leaf spots Fungi Ascochyta citri
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)
Lettuce
Leaf spot Fungus Septoria lactucae 252
Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora brassicicola
and Cercospora longissima
Collar rot Fungus Athelia rolfsii
Root knot Nematode Meloidogyne hapla 271
Lima bean
Rust Fungus Phakopsora vignae
Concentric spots Fungus Phoma exigua 62
Root knot Fungus Meloidogyne incognita 271
Lime
Sooty mould Fungus Meliola citricola 270
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.
Lovi-lovi
Leaf spot
Macadamia
Leaf spot Fungus Pestalotiopsis sp.
Root rot Fungus Armillaria mellea
23
Maize (See Corn)
Mandarin
Pink crust on stems Fungus Podonectria sp
Mango
Sooty mould Fungi Asterina sp 270
and Meliola mangiferae 270
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
Leaf mould Fungus Leptosphaeria sp.
Melon (Rockmelon)
Black rot Fungus Mycosphaerella melonis
Leaf blight Fungus Aschochyta sp.
Mint
Collar rot & wilt Fungus Marasmiellus epochnous
Wilt Fungus Thanatephorus cucumeris 266
Rust
Mulberry
Mung bean
Leaf spot Fungus Myrothecium roridum
Mosaic Virus
24
Mustard
Naranjilla
Okra
Distorted leaves Possibly virus
Onion (bulb)
Leaf tip withering Fungus Alternaria porri 122
Smudge Fungus Colletotrichum circinans 124
and Pseudomonas cepacia
Downy mildew Fungus Peronospora destructor
Root rot Fungus Fusarium spp.
Black mould Fungus Aspergillus niger
Onion (bunching)
Leaf blotch Fungus Aschochyta sp.
Downy mildew Fungus Peronospora destructor
Root rot Fungus Fusarium spp.
Orange
Leaf spot Fungus Gloeosporium sp.
Unthriftiness Nematode Tylenchulus semipenetrans 101
Parsley
Parsnip
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.
Pawpaw
Butt rot Fungus Athelia rolfsii 262
Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora papayae
Shot hole leaf spot Fungus Corynespora cassiicola 137
Powdery mildew Fungus Oidium caricae 135
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
Pea
Leaf spot Fungus Mycosphaerella pinodes 74
Brown mould Fungus Fulvia fulvum
and Macrophoma sp.
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
and Botryodiplodia theobromae 265
Large leaf spot Fungus Leptosphaerulina trifolii 145
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
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
Root rot Fungus Phellinus noxius
Dead patches Fungus Thanatephorus cucumeris 260
Pigeon pea
Leaf spot Fungus Mycovellosiella cajani 75
On seeds Fungus Aspergillus niger
and Chaetomium sp.
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
Pitpits - see Coastal pitpit and Highland pitpit.
Polynesian arrowroot
Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora taccae
Pomelo
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
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
Bacterial wilt Bacterium Erwinia chrysanthemi 262
Leaf roll Virus Leaf roll virus 152
Interveinal mottling Virus Potato virus x (Unconfirmed) 153
Mosaic & dying leaves Virus Potato virus y (Unconfirmed) 154
Potato yam
Brown mould Fungus Pseudocercospora ubi 242
Rust Fungus Uredo dioscorae-sativae 239
Pumpkin
Storage rot Fungus Colletotrichum orbiculare 162
Powdery mildew Fungus Erysiphe cichoracearum 164
Stem rot Fungus Fusarium solani
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
Heart rot Fungus Phellinus sp.
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
(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
and Penicillium sp.
and Rhizopus nigricans
and Verticillium sp.
Rockmelon (See Melon)
Rungia
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
29
Silver beet and beetroot

Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora beticola 257
Snake bean (See Yard-long bean)
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
Blossom blight Fungus Glomerella cingulata 261
Soybean
and Cercospora canescens 64
Rust Fungus Phakopsora pachyrhizi 80
Bacterial leaf spot Bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. glycine 63
Leaf distortion Possibly virus
Yellow mosaic Virus
Squash and marrow

With storage rot Fungus Aspergillus sp.
Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora sp. 161
and Fusarium sp.
Mould under leaf Fungus Cercospora citrullina 161
Possible virus
30
Strawberry
Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora vexans
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
Brown stripe Fungus Bipolaris stenospila 180
Ring spot Fungus Leptosphaeria sacchari 185
Rind disease Fungus Phaeocytostroma sacchari 193
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
Mould on head Fungus Botryotinia fuckeliana
Rust Fungus Puccinia helianthi
Surinam cherry
Scab fruit Fungus Pestalotia eugeniae
and Pyrenochaeta sp.
Swamp taro
31
Sweet potato
Stem & leaf blight Fungus Alternaria alternata
Leaf spot Fungus Ascochyta convolvuli 207
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
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
Sweetsop
Blossom blight Fungus Glomerella cingulata 261
32
Taro
Brown leaf spot Fungus Cladosporium colocasiae 216
Leaf spot Fungus Neojohnstonia colocasiae 218
Shot hole Fungus Phyllosticta sp. 221
Blight Fungus Phytophthora colocasiae 222
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.
With corm rot Fungus Botrydiplodia theobromae 265
and Chaetophoma sp
and Rhizoctonia sp. 266
Corm and stem rot Bacterium Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora 262
Bacterial leaf blight Bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. aracearum 215
Tomato
and Phytophthora nicotianae 229
and Pythium butleri 266
and Thanatephorus cucumeris 266
Anthracnose Fungus Colletotrichum sp. 226
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 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
Meloidogyne incognita 271
Meloidogyne javanica 271
33
Tree tomato
and Phyllosticta sp.
Anthracnose/Fruit rot Fungus Glomerella cingulata 261
Powdery mildew Fungus Oidium sp.
Root rot Fungus Phytophthora palmivora
and Pythium sp. 266
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 Colletotrichum orbiculare 162
and Leptosphaerulina trifolii
and Aschochyta sp.
Black rot/Gummy stem Fungus Mycosphaerella melonis
blight
Damping off Fungus Pythium irregulare 265
Mosaic Possibly virus 163
Winged bean
Flower blight Fungus Choanephora cucurbitarum 72
Collar rot Fungus Macrophomina phaseolina 67
and Fusarium spp.
Sooty mould Fungus Meliola erythrinae var psophocarpi 270
Leaf spot Fungus Pseudocercospora psophocarpi 81
False rust Fungus Synchytrium psophocarpi 70
Leaf curl Possible virus
Little leaf Possible mycoplasma like organism
34
Yard-long bean (Snake bean)

Leaf spot Fungus Choanephora cucurbitarum 267
and Cercospora sp.
Powdery mildew Fungus Sphaerotheca fuliginea 78
Yam (See also Greater yam, lesser yam and five leaflet yam.)
Zucchini
Leaf spot Fungus Alternaria cucumerina
Fruit rot Fungus Choanephora sp. 267
Storage rot Fungus Fusarium sp.
35
Aibika diseases
Aibika leaf spot Fungus Myrothecium roridum 36
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.
What it looks like: Dead spots occur on

leaves. A poison produced by the fungus
starts to kill the leaf around the spot so that
the dead brown spot is surrounded by a
yellow ring.
The cause: The disease is caused by a

fungus. The fungus lives on many plants
and occurs in many places.
The conditions it likes: It gets worse in

warm humid places. (Probably 28°C -32°C)
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
Other diseases that are similar:

Leaf spots on aibika can also be caused by another fungus called Phyllosticta sp. Spots due to
this fungus normally have a hole in the centre. It is not a strong fungus at attacking plants so
does not cause serious damage to plants.
Another fungus called Colletotrichum sp. is a very common fungus causing a group of diseases
called anthracnose. With these, leaves normally start dying around the edges.
37
Disease: Mottle of aibika
Scientific name:
What it looks like: A pattern of light green

and dark green occurs over the leaves. The
leaves become more wrinkled than normal.
The cause: The disease is possibly caused

by a virus. Two or three different viruses
may be involved.
The conditions it likes:
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.
Other plants that get the disease:
Control:
References:
38
Disease: Powdery mildew of Aibika
Scientific name: Oidium sp.
What it looks like: A white powdery

growth of fungus develops over the leaves
that then shrivel and die. The powdery
growth is more common on the upper
surface of the leaf.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: The fungus grows

well in warm, humid conditions. It can
cause serious disease in dry weather.
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)
Scientific name: Phytophthora nicotianae var. parasitica
What it looks like: The lower leaves start

turning yellow and the tips of the plant start
to wilt. Leaves then drop off. The bottom
of the stem near the ground turns black and
begins to rot. Plants eventually die.
The cause: This disease is caused by a

fungus. This fungus lives in the soil.
The conditions it likes: It occurs mostly in

the lowland areas. The best temperature for
the disease is about 30° to 32°C.
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.
The damage: Plants can die.
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
Other diseases which are a little similar:

Stem rot of aibika due to the fungus Sarcopodium vanillae has also been recorded. This is a
fungus that normally attacks vanilla.
Other fungi common in the soil such as Fusarium sp. and Athelia rolfsii can also attack aibika
stems and roots. As well a nematode Aphelenchus avenae has also been found associated with
this damage.
40
Disease: Avocado Root Rot
Scientific name: Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands
What it looks like: The leaves turn yellow and

drop off. New leaves are small. The tree starts to
die from the top. Fruit eventually become smaller.
The roots are blackened and fine feeder roots die.
The cause: The disease is caused by a fungus.

Two different kinds of fungal threads occur and
these can unite to produce oospores or sexual
spores. It also has two kinds of asexual spores.
The conditions it likes: The disease probably

gets worse where temperatures are 24°C - 28°C.
It only occurs above 750 m altitude in Papua New
Guinea. It occurs in poorly drained soils. Soil pH
between 5 and 7.5 suits the disease.
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
Anthracnose fruit Fungus Colletotrichum musae 42

Armillaria corm rot Fungus Armillaria mellea 43
Black cross Fungus Phyllachora musicola 45
Banana rust Fungus Uredo musae 46
Black leaf streak Fungus Mycosphaerella fijiensis 47
Black spot Fungus Deightoniella torulosa 49
Burrowing nematode Nematode Radopholus similis 50
Diamond leaf spot Fungus Cordana musae 51
Freckle Fungus Guignardia musae 52
Leaf speckle Fungus Ramichloridium musae 54
Leaf spot Fungus Cladosporium musae 55
Malayan leaf spot Fungus Haplobasidion musae 56
Sigatoka leaf spot Fungus Mycosphaerella musicola 48
Root rot Fungi Pythium splendens
and Pythium vexans etc
Stem end rot fruit Fungus Botrydiplodia theobromae
Nematode Nematode Helicotylenchus multicinctus
Pratylenchus sp.
Rotylenchus sp.
Infectious chlorosis Virus Cucumber mosaic virus 53
Stalk rot Bacterium Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora 262
Bacterial corm rot Bacterium Erwinia chrysanthemi 44
42
Disease: Anthracnose of banana
Scientific name: Colletotrichum musae (Berk Curt.) Arx

[Synonym: Gloeosporium musarum Cooke & Massee]
What it looks like: On ripening banana

fruit small black spots appear over the
surface. The spots get larger and can cover
the whole fruit.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: The disease gets

worse during the wet season. It also
develops more on fruit as they ripen. The
fungus can survive hot temperatures and
different amounts of moisture in the air.
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
Scientific name: Armillaria mellea (Vahl: Fr.) Kummer

[Synonym: Armillariella mellea (Vahl ex Fr.) P.Karst]
What it looks like: The leaves turn yellow

and die from the base upwards. The plant
can be pushed over or breaks off just below
ground level. The dry brown corm has
white fungal threads growing through it.

fungus. The fungus attacks the roots.
The conditions it likes: Normally it only

occurs above 1000 metres altitude in cooler
areas.
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
What it looks like: This bacterial disease

produces a wet rot of the rhizome. Normally
there is a bad smell.

bacterium. This bacterium and another one
called Erwinia carotovora are similar.
The conditions it likes: It mostly spreads to

damaged plants. Some strains are adapted to
warm climates and others to cool places.
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
What it looks like: The disease causes a

black spot the shape of a cross on the leaves
of bananas.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: The disease most

commonly occurs when the weather is hot
and humid with daily rainfall. The signs are
seen more clearly when bananas are grown
in dense clumps.
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.)
What it looks like: On the upper surface

small brown streaks occur which are not
very clear. On the lower surface the streaks
are very noticeable, are up to 1mm wide and
5 mm long and feel rough.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: It is more common

in moist cool areas.
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.
Control: Probably not normally necessary.

1. Some varieties get less damage
2. In the Pacific countries where bananas are grown commercially the
chemicals that are used to control black leaf streak also give some protection
against rust.
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.)
Scientific name: Mycosphaerella fijiensis var. difformis Morelet

Asexual: Paracercospora fijiensis (Morelet)
[Synonyms: Cercospora fijiensis Mor. &
Pseudocercospora fijiensis (Mor.) Deight.]
What it looks like: The signs first appear as

small dark streaks (1mm x 2mm) on the
younger leaves. The streaks enlarge and turn
black as the leaves get older and the spots
then merge into large brown dead areas
normally at the leaf edges or tip. The spots
are more reddish brown and on the
undersurface of the leaf than Sigatoka.
Dense bands of streaks occur on both sides
of the leaf mid-ribs and leaves are killed
before banana bunches mature. This causes
fruit to ripen early or be lost.
The cause: It is caused by a fungus.
The conditions it likes: It gets worse in wet

windy weather.
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.
What it looks like: A yellowish green speck

on banana leaves gradually turns into a
streak then turns brown. The brown centre
has a yellow ring around it. The centre of the
spot can turn grey. Large dead areas can
develop.
The cause: It is caused by a fungus that is

very similar to the fungus causing black leaf
streak. It is possible that this disease does not
occur in PNG. All samples of bananas said to
be infected with Sigatoka disease were, in
fact, infected with black leaf streak disease.
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
What it looks like: Small spots develop on

old leaves. They have a dark edge. They
have a smoky colouring over a lighter tan
background. It also causes black spots on
the tips of fruit.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: It gets worse under

poor growing conditions and high humidity.
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.
The damage: Not normally serious.
Other plants that get the disease: Abaca.
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)
Scientific name: Cordana musae (Zimm.) Hohnel

[Synonym: Scolecotrichum musae Zimm.]
What it looks like: The spots are yellow or

light brown and oval shaped. Often rings
can be seen inside the spots. There is a
yellow ring around the spot. Spots are often
near the edge of the leaf and this has an
uneven bright zigzag yellow band. On the
lower side of the leaf spots are often covered
by a grey velvety layer of spores.
The conditions it likes: It gets worse during

the wet season. It gets worse under shaded
conditions. It gets worse in cool weather.
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.
Control: Not normally required.

1. It can be controlled with the same fungicide sprays that are used to control
black leaf streak.
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.
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.
What it looks like: Small black speckled

stripes develop on banana leaves. They are
on old leaves and go from the midrib to the
leaf edge. They are mostly on the upper leaf
surface. They are raised and feel rough to
touch. They can spread to fruit. On fruit the
entire surface can be covered by black dots
each with a narrow watersoaked edge. The
symptoms on fruit are most noticeable at
harvest.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: It needs rainy

weather. The disease occurs mainly in the
wet season.
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.
Control: Not normally necessary.

1. Some varieties are resistant.
2. Covering fruit bunches stops damage to fruit.
3. It can be controlled with fungicide chemicals.
References:
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
What it looks like: A yellow streak or

pattern of light and dark green (mosaic)
develops on leaves. The edges of leaves can
curl. The young central leaves and false
stem may rot in cool weather. With young
plants the pale pattern goes across the
leaves.
The cause: The disease is caused by a virus.

This virus can infect many other plants.
The conditions it likes: The disease is

spread by aphids that prefer cool dry
conditions.
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.
The damage: It only occurs occasionally and is not serious.
Other plants that get the disease: Pumpkin family plants, tomatoes, maize, some
traditional greens and some weeds.
Control: Not normally necessary

1. Keep infected pumpkin family plants separate from bananas.
2. If a plant is infected the plant and suckers need to be destroyed.
3. Since the virus can be present without any symptoms showing it is
important to use only clean planting material from older plantings which appear
perfectly healthy.
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]
What it looks like: Round yellow blotches

about 3-4 cm across with small black specks
in them develop on banana leaves. They are
mostly on the upper surface.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: It likes hot humid

conditions. Older leaves in damp shady
places get most damage. It gets worse
during the rainy season, especially when
bananas are planted close together.
How the disease spreads: Spots are produced on the underside of banana leaves.
These are spread by wind and rain to healthy leaves.
The damage: Normally only very slight damage occurs.
References:
Stover, R.H., 1972, Banana Diseases CMI/CAB p 97
55
Disease: Leaf spot of bananas
(Sometimes called Leaf speckle of bananas)
Scientific name: Cladosporium musae Mason
What it looks like: Pale brownish flecks

develop on both side of leaves. It often
occurs with another leaf spot caused by
Chloridium musae.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: It likes humid

conditions. It grows on older leaves.
How the disease spreads: Spores are blown in the wind.
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.
Control: Control is not normally necessary.

1. Wider spacing.
2. Use of resistant varieties.
References:
Stover, R.H., 1972, Banana Diseases CMI/ CAB p 100
56
Disease: Malayan leaf spot of bananas
(Also called diamond leaf spot)
Scientific name: Haplobasidion musae M.B.Ellis
What it looks like: The spots are brown or

red brown at first and on the upper side of
the leaf. Later they develop a distinct
diamond shape with a dark brown or black
edge and light brown or grey centre. The
spots are about 6 mm long. On the underside
of the leaf the spots are covered by a black
layer of conidiophores and spores.

fungus.

cooler areas with high rainfall. In Papua
New Guinea this is areas like the Southern
Highlands.
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.

1. Oil sprays alone can increase the disease.
2. It can be controlled with fungicides used to control black sigatoka.
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
Collar rots Fungi Athelia rolfsii 262
Leaf spots Fungi Cercospora canescens 65
and Cladosporium oxysporum
and Corynespora casiicola
Mosaic Virus Bean common mosaic virus (unconfirmed) 68
Bacterial blight Bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv phaseolini
On seeds Fungus Aspergillus sp.
Broad bean
Leaf spot Fungus Cladosporium sp.
Leaf blight Fungus Fusarium sp.
Rust Fungus Uromyces viciae-fabae 79
Cluster bean (Guar bean)

Cowpeas (and snake bean)

Leaf spot Fungus Ascochyta phaseolarum
Root rot Fungus Fusarium sp.
Storage rot Fungus Botrydiplodia theobromae 265
58
Green gram bean

Yellow mosaic Possibly virus
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
Small twisted leaves Probably virus
Lima bean
Rust Fungus Phakopsora vignae
Concentric spots Fungus Phoma exigua 62
Root knot Fungus Meloidogyne incognita 271
Mung bean
Leaf spot Fungus Myrothecium roridum
Mosaic Virus 68
Pea
Leaf spot Fungus Ascochyta pinodes
Leaf spot Fungus Mycosphaerella pinodes 74
Brown mould Fungus Fulvia fulvum
Mosaic Probably virus
Dry rot seeds Fungus Penicillium sp.
Pigeon pea
Leaf spot Fungus Mycovellosiella cajani 75
and Chaetomium sp.
59
and Fusarium solani
and Penicillium sp.
and Nigrospora oryzae
Rice bean
False rust Fungus Synchytrium phaseoli 69
Rust Fungus Uromyces sp. 64
and Penicillium sp.
and Rhizopus nigricans
and Verticillium sp.
Soya bean
and Cercospora canescens 64
Rust Fungus Phakopsora pachyrhizi 80
Bacterial leaf spot Bacteria Xanthomonas campestris pv glycines 63
Leaf distortion Possibly virus
Yellow mosaic Virus
Winged bean
Flower blight Fungus Choanephora cucurbitarum 72
Collar rot Fungus Macrophomina phaseolina 67
and Fusarium spp.
Sooty mould Fungus Meliola erythrinae var psophocarpi 270
Leaf spot Fungus Pseudocercospora psophocarpi 81
False rust Fungus Synchytrium psophocarpi 70
Leaf curl Possible virus
Little leaf Possible mycoplasma like organism
Yard-long bean (Snake bean)

Leaf spot Fungus Choanephora cucurbitarum 267
Peanut diseases are dealt with separately.

60
Disease: Angular leaf spot of beans
Scientific name: Phaeoisariopsis griseola (Sacc.) Ferraris

[Synonym: Isariopsis griseola Sacc.]
What it looks like: This disease grows on

common bean, lima bean, peas and
cowpeas. It causes angular brown spots on
the leaves. They are angular in shape
because the edges of the spots are bounded
by the veins of the leaf. It can also cause
reddish-brown spots on the stems and pods.
Leaves fall off early.
The cause: The cause of this disease is a

fungus. It belongs to a group of fungi called
imperfect fungi because it only produces
asexual spores and the sexual stage of the
fungus has not yet been found.
The conditions it likes: It is favoured by a temperature between 20°-25°C and

high humidity or moisture. These kinds of temperatures occur in the mid altitude
range from about 1000 to 2000 m altitude. It gets worse when beans are grown
among corn than among kaukau.
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.
The damage: It can cause severe yield losses.
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
What it looks like: Brown spots can occur

on bean leaves near the veins especially on
the underside. Dead spots can occur on
stems and round spots on the pods. The
centre of the spots is light coloured.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: It is probably

favoured by temperatures between 16° and
25°C and reduced by high temperatures.
High humidity or damp leaves are essential.
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.
The damage: The main damage is to the quality of the pods.
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
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)
Scientific name: Phoma exigua Desm.

[Probably syn. Ascochyta phaseolorum Sacc.]
What it looks like: Young leaf spots are

round with grey brown centres and light
green edges. As spots get older the centre
tissue falls out. Rings can often be seen in
the spots.

fungus.

cool conditions during rainy weather. It
mostly attacks plants that aren't growing
well. It gets bad in areas exposed to winds.
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.
The damage: Bad attacks can cause loss of crop.
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
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
What it looks like: Raised red lumps occur

on upper and lower surfaces of the leaf. At
first they are very small green lumps with
raised centres. As the disease develops
leaves become torn and ragged and fall off
early.

bacterium.
The conditions it likes: It can occur under

cool or hotter coastal conditions.
How the disease spreads: The disease spreads on the seed.
The damage: Crop losses are not serious.
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]
What it looks like: The disease starts as

white spots on the leaves and these develop
reddish-brown masses of spores in the
centre. They look like small lumps. They
can also grow on the pods. The fungus can
only grow on beans.
The cause: The cause of this disease is a

fungus.
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:
65
Disease: Cercospora leaf spot of beans.
Also occurs on cowpea and other beans
Scientific name: Cercospora canescens Ell. & Martin

Also Mycosphaerella cruenta Latham
Asexual: Pseudocercospora cruenta (Sacc.)Deighton
[Synonym: Cercospora cruenta Sacc.]
(Other leaf spots can be caused by other fungi such as Corynespora cassiicola and Phoma
exigua - see Aschochyta leaf spot and Angular leaf spot.)
What it looks like: The spots are round or

sometimes slightly angular. They are grey
with reddish edges. They occur on older
leaves only. The spots are on both surfaces
of the leaves.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: It is common in

warmer places. It is favoured by light.
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
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)
Scientific name: Thanatephorus cucumeris (Frank)Donk.

[Synonym: Pellicularia filamentosa (Pat.)Rogers)
and Corticium solani (Prill. & Del.)Bourd. & Galz.]
Asexual: Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn.
(Collar rots can also be caused by Corticium rolfsii Curzi - see peanut collar rot.) (Bean blights
caused by bacteria have recently been recorded in Papua New Guinea.)
What it looks like: A mass of grey fungal

threads develop on the roots and stem near the
ground, for collar rot. It starts as small water-
soaked spots that grow on lower leaves and
leaves die off around the edge. The top surface
can have a powdery appearance.
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.
The conditions it likes: It mainly attacks young or damaged plant tissues. It

grows where plants are weak and soil moisture levels are high.
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
67
Disease: Collar rot winged bean
Scientific names: Macrophomina phaseolina
Rhizoctonia solani
Fusarium equiseti
Fusarium semitectum
Fusarium moniliforme (Sex. Gibberella fujikuroi)
What it looks like: The bean seedlings rot

off near the ground level.
The cause: The disease is caused by a group

of fungi that are common in the soil and can
affect many different plants.

worse where the conditions are warm and
there is a moderate to high level of moisture.
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
What it looks like: The leaves become

cupped and twisted. They have patches of
light green and dark green scattered over the
leaf. Sometimes the dark green patches are
bubbled near the vein. Pods are fewer, small
and curled.
The conditions it likes: The disease will

occur wherever infected bean seeds are
planted. The best conditions for
development of the disease are thought to be
warm, dry weather which favour the growth
and movement of the insects which carry the
disease.
How the disease spreads: The disease can be carried in the seed. It can also be
spread by small sap sucking aphid insects.
The damage: It can be serious when diseased seed is planted.
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
What it looks like: Small light brown or

orange fungal spots develop on the leaves
and stems. They are obvious. The leaves
become twisted.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: Disease

development is favoured by high relative
humidity.
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.
What it looks like: Yellow lumps develop

on leaves, stems, pods and flowers. They
particularly develop on the veins and can
cause plant parts to become twisted. They
are usually clumped together and raised
above the plant surface. The fungus grows
on both sides of the leaf.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: The fungus

probably spreads most rapidly at
temperatures between 10° and 25°C with
high relative humidity and with moisture on
the leaves. The disease attacks young leaves.
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:
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]
What it looks like: Under the leaves of

beans there is a white floury type of growth
that has an irregular shape. These white
spots may join. On the top surface of the
leaf there may be a light green coloured
spot.

fungus.

worse in places where there are moderate
temperatures and moisture. It suits the high
altitude tropics.
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.]
What it looks like: It is a wet rot of the

flower and can also affect the pods.

common fungus that occurs in the soil.

humid conditions. After rain flowers
become affected. It can spread well at
temperatures from 25°C to 31°C.
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.
What it looks like: Water soaked grey

greenish areas develop on the flowers, pods
or other plant parts.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: Rain or frequent

irrigation make the disease worse. High
moisture and low temperatures make the
disease worse i.e. mostly in the highlands.
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
What it looks like: Very small purple spots

develop on the pea plant. These spots get
larger, become dark at the centre and have
an irregular outline.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: It tends to be worse

in cool areas with temperatures between
18°C and 24°C. It gets worse with high
humidities (including those from close plant
spacing.)
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.
5. Chemical fungicides can be used to treat seed.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 340, 1972 & Map 316
75
Disease: Leaf spot of Pigeon Pea
Scientific name: Mycovellosiella cajani (P.Henn.) Rangel ex Trotter
Asexual: Cercospora cajani P.Henn.
What it looks like: An irregular shaped

pale yellow leaf spot on the upper surface of
the leaves.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: Warm humid

conditions favour disease development.
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
What it looks like:
How the disease spreads:
The damage:
Control:
References:
77
Disease: Powdery mildew of winged bean
Scientific name: Erysiphe cichoracearum
Asexual: As Oidium sp.
What it looks like: Older leaves get the

disease and become pale green then the
leaves turn brown and die.

fungus. It is probably the same fungus that
causes powdery mildew on cucumbers.
The conditions it likes: It grows under

conditions that occur in the highlands.
How the disease spreads: The disease spreads by spores that develop on the upper
surfaces of older leaves. These blow in the wind.
The damage: 1. It causes leaves to die off early.
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)
Scientific name: Sphaerotheca fuliginea (Schlecht. : Fr.) Pollaci

Asexual: Oidium sp.
What it looks like: A powdery white mould

occurs over the surface of the leaves. They
start as small white patches that spread out
in a circle to cover the leaf on both surfaces.

fungus. This fungus occurs very widely on
many plants.
The conditions it likes: The fungus thrives

under hot dry conditions and gets less with
rain.
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]
What it looks like: Rust coloured spots

develop on the leaves.
The conditions it likes: Favoured by high

humidity and moisture. It is probably
favoured by temperatures below 25°C.
How the disease spreads: It can be carried on seed. It can also live for a long time
on old plant material.
The damage: Leaves can fall off early.
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:
80
Disease: Rust of Soybean
Scientific name: Phakopsora pachyrhizi Syd. & Syd.
What it looks like: It is a brown rust. The

cup shaped spore carrying bodies are on the
underside of the leaves. The spots start as
small pale spots and become angular and
brown.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: The disease is more

important in humid areas. It probably gets
worse with temperatures about 20°C. The
disease does not occur if temperatures are
over 27°C. Dew is essential on the leaves
for the disease to spread.
How the disease spreads: It is spread by wind borne spores.
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
81
Disease: Leaf spot of winged bean
Scientific name: Pseudocercospora psophocarpi (Yen) Deighton
[Synonym: Cercospora psophocarpi Yen]
What it looks like: The leaves first develop

small yellow spots on the top. Underneath
the leaf the spots have a white mass that
becomes grey then turns black. The whole
leaf can become infected causing the leaf to
die.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: The disease can

spread with temperatures from 10° reaching
a maximum at 30°C. It is favoured by high
humidity.
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.
The damage: It can cause significant loss of leaf.
Other plants that get the disease: None so far known.
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
What it looks like: It normally attacks the

young developing parts of the plants causing
these parts to wilt and die back.

fungus
The conditions it likes: It mainly occurs in

the warm and wet areas.
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
See also Anthracnose p 250
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
Diseases of Breadfruit family

Breadfruit
Leaf spot Fungus Pseudocercospora artocarpi 84
Rust Fungus Uredo artocarpi 85
Jackfruit
Pink Disease Fungus Phanerochaete salmonicolor 260
84
Disease: Leaf spot of breadfruit
Scientific name: Pseudocercospora artocarpi (H.Sydow & Sydow) Dei.
[Synonym: Cercospora artocarpi H & P Sydow]
What it looks like: Dead spots develop on

the leaves. They are more clearly seen from
underneath the leaf.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: The disease

develops best in warm rainy conditions in
the wet season.
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.
Control: No control is normally needed.
References:
Deighton, Mycol. Papers 140:139. 1976.
85
Disease: Rust of breadfruit
Scientific name: Uredo artocarpi Berk & Br.
What it looks like: Raised brown rust

coloured spots develop on the leaves. They
are often surrounded by a yellow patch of
leaf. They are more clearly seen on the top
surface of the leaf.

fungus.
How the disease spreads: The disease spreads by wind-blown spores.
The damage: Leaves can be killed when infection is heavy.
Control: This is probably not necessary.
References:
(Cummins, Mycologia Vol 32, 1940, p 372.)
86
Cabbage family diseases

Broccoli
and Botrytis sp.
Black rot Bacterium Xanthomonas campestris 89
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Damping off Fungus Pythium sp.
and Rhizoctonia sp.
Cauliflower
Leaf spot Fungus Mycosphaerella brassicicola 92
Chinese cabbage
Black leaf spot Fungus Mycosphaerella brassicicola 92
Wet rot Fungus Choanephora cucurbitarum 267
Leaf wilt (Soft rot) Bacterium Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora 89
Seedling wilt Fungus Fusarium oxysporum
Radish
Leaf spot Fungus Alternaria raphani
Turnip
Leaf spot Fungi Alternaria brassicae 91
and Alternaria brassicicola 92
Watercress
Leaf spot Probably fungus
87
Disease: Bacterial soft rot cabbage
Scientific name: Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora
What it looks like: A soft squashy rot

occurs on the heads of Chinese and other
cabbage family plants. It has a bad smell.
A slime of bacteria can be seen on the
damaged parts.
The cause: The disease is caused by

bacteria.
The conditions it likes: It gets worse in hot

wet weather. It needs damaged plants.
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)
Scientific name: Alternaria brassicicola (Schw.) Wiltshire
What it looks like: Dark brown spots up to

10 mm across with rings inside them
develop on leaves. On cauliflowers the curd
can develop dark sunken areas.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: It gets severe in the

wet season. Temperatures of 20°C to 30°C
favour the disease. Leaves need to be wet
for about 16 hours.
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)
Scientific name: Xanthomonas campestris (Pamm.)Dowson pv campestris
What it looks like: Yellow or dry brown

areas develop near the edge of the leaf.
These extend in from the leaf edge. When
the stem is cut across, a black ring will be
seen in the water-conducting tissues just
below the bark. The leaf scald form of the
disease causes small brown water-soaked
spots over the surface of the leaf.

bacteria.
The conditions it likes: It gets worse in the

wet season and in the hot areas.
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.
The damage: Leaves can be severely damaged.
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
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.
What it looks like: Yellow or pale green

spots develop on the leaves. On the
underside of the leaves white fungal threads
can be seen. In wet weather the spots
enlarge then with dry weather the spots dry
out and die. On cauliflower heads dark
brown colours can occur.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: Cool moist weather

helps the disease develop quickly. It
develops particularly in nursery seedbeds.
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)
Scientific name: Alternaria brassicae (Berk.) Sacc.
What it looks like: Small round yellow

spots appear on young leaves. These spots
become large and have rings within them.
The old spots are dark brown.

fungus.

worse when temperatures are between 18°C
and 24°C. It is also favoured by high
humidity. The disease gets worse where the
light is poor. The disease can exist where
temperatures are between 2° and 30°C.
How the disease spreads: The disease can spread from old cabbage family plants.
It is also carried on seed.
The damage: It particularly affects Chinese cabbage.
Other plants that get the disease: Cabbage family plants.
Control:
1 Seed treatment is used in some places.
References:
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.
What it looks like: Small dark round spots

develop on leaves. These get larger (up to 2
cm) and become light grey in the centre.
Circles of black spots can be seen in the
spots.

cool wet weather.
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.
References:
CMI Description of Pathogenic Fungi No 722 1982
Persley, D.M. et al (eds), 1989, Vegetable Crops - a disease management guide.
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
Blight leaf spot Fungus Colletotrichum capsici
or Tip die back
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]
What it looks like: Brown spots are

produced particularly on the older leaves of
cassava. As the spots get larger they
become angular with leaf veins as the edges.
The spots are light brown with a slightly
raised darker brown border. Spots are easier
to see on the upper surface. They are 1 to 8
mm across.

worse in warm wet conditions. It gets worse
on old cassava plants (over 5 months old).
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:
Gerlach, W.W.O., 1988, Plant Disease of Western Samoa, GTZ pp56-57
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)
Scientific name: Glomerella cingulata (Stonem) Spauld & Schrenk

[Synonym: Glomerella manihotis Chev
Colletotrichum manihotis Henn.
Gloeosporium manihotis]
What it looks like: The edges of young

cassava leaves die. Leaves can also have
spots and be twisted.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: It gets bad in the

wet season and under shaded and poor
growing conditions.
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
Clymenia citrus
Grapefruit
With leaf spot Fungus Glomerella cingulata 261
Bacterial canker Bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv citri 98
Citrus nematode Nematode Tylenchulus semipenetrans 101
Lemon
Leaf spots Fungi Ascochyta citri
Bacterial canker Bacterium Xanthomonas campestri pv citri 98
Lime
Collar & root rot Fungus Phellinus noxius
Bacterial canker Bacteria Xanthomonas campestris pv citri 98
Mandarin
Pink crust of stems Fungus Podonectria sp.
Orange
Citrus nematode Nematode Tylenchulus semipenetrans 101
Pomelo
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
What it looks like: Velvety spots that are

usually orange-red in colour but sometimes
greenish, appear on the surface of the
leaves. Sometimes the spots merge together
to form large irregular patches on the leaves.
The cause: The disease is caused by an

alga.
The conditions it likes: The disease only

occurs in warm wet conditions. The algal
spores require a film of water for survival
and spread of infection.
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.)
Control: Control is not normally necessary. The “disease” generally becomes

established on plants growing under poor cultural conditions resulting in loss of
vigour.
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]
What it looks like: Small watery green

raised lumps appear on the leaves
particularly underneath. These spots turn
grey and burst showing a light brown
spongy mass in the centre. It is yellow
around the spots. Similar spots occur on
twigs and fruit.

bacteria.
The conditions it likes: It can spread in

very wet windy conditions. The disease gets
more severe in hot humid coastal areas.
Temperatures between 20° and 30°C are
when the disease gets worse. It gets started
most easily on young tissues that are
covered with moisture for 20 minutes or
more.
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:
99
Disease: Blue mould of Citrus
Scientific name: Penicillium italicum Wehm
What it looks like: A blue green fungus

grows over the skin of the fruit. It is soft
and wet around the edge of the disease. The
fruit becomes dry. Only the fruit are
affected.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: If the temperature

is between 18°C & 26°C it causes rapid
rotting of fruit. It is fastest at 24°C.
How the disease spreads: It is spread especially by contact between diseased

fruit. The fungus causing the rot is in both the soil and spread with soil and blown
in the wind and can affect only damaged fruit.
The damage: It is a storage rot of citrus fruit.
Other plants that get the disease: Citrus 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:
Graham, K.M., 1971, Plant Diseases of Fiji, HMSO p51
100
Disease: Green mould of Citrus
Scientific name: Penicillium digitatum Saccardo
What it looks like: The surface of citrus

fruit becomes covered with a white mould.
The mould turns light green and the fruit
softens and shrinks.
The cause: The disease is cause by a

fungus.
The conditions it likes: It particularly

infects fruit if the peel is damaged.
Temperatures near 24°C allow fruit to rot
quickly.
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.
The damage: It is mainly a storage rot of citrus fruit.
Other plants that get the disease: Citrus 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
What it looks like: Trees are stunted and

slowly decline in health. When the roots are
examined there is a jelly like material along
the roots with soil attached and the soil is
not easily washed off.
The cause: The problem is caused by very

small nematode worms that burrow into the
roots. They are too small to see without a
microscope.
The conditions it likes: The disease may

occur wherever citurs is grown although in
new plantings the disease is most likely to
occur after introduction on planting material
from already infested areas.
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]
What it looks like: Small (1 mm across)

raised dots appear on the surface of leaves
and fruit giving them a rough feel. Leaves
can fall off early.

fungus. The fungus produces 2 kinds of
spores.

high rainfall areas. It is worse with high
humidity and temperatures between 21°C
and 27°C. Fruit need to be wet for 12 hours
at 25°C to get the disease. Cloudy weather
helps the disease get started.
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:
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
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
What it looks like: The leaves, twigs and fruit

develop raised corky scabs. Each scab develops on
only one side of the leaf. The leaves of lemon can
be badly distorted because the scabs form on the
veins of the leaf. Infected fruit can be deformed and
fall off. It can be mistaken for citrus canker in
some areas.
The conditions it likes: It gets worse in cool places

(13° - 23°C) when it is moist at night. (100% R.H.)
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
Kranz, J. et al, (eds), 1977, Diseases of Tropical Crops VPP p 108
104
Coconut diseases
Sooty mould Fungi Capnodium sp.

and Chaetothyrium sp.
and Meliola sp.
Stem bleeding Fungus Ceratocystis paradoxa 102
Black leaf mould Fungi Clasterosporium cocoicola
and Sporidesmium macrurum
White thread blight Fungus Corticium penicillatum
Leaf spots Fungi Bipolaris incurvata 100
and Pestalotiopsis palmarum 101
and Pseudoepicoccum cocos
Root rot Fungus Ganoderma lucidum 97
Brown root rot Fungus Phellinus noxius 98
Bud rot Fungus Phytophthora palmivora 99
105
Disease: Basal stem rot of coconut
(Also called Butt rot and Ganoderma wilt)
Scientific name: Ganoderma lucidum [(W.Curt) Fr.] Karst

(There have been problems with the consistent and correct naming of this organism especially in
the tropics. It may be other species involved. This species tends to be in cooler places.)
What it looks like: The new fronds fail to

open and the palm looks wilted and paler
green. The older fronds then wilt and die
from the tips. At the base of the palm dead
spots occur with dead roots. Near the dead
spot there is a bright yellow zone. The white
fungal threads are visible. Bracket fungal
bodies develop. The top of these has zones
and a shiny appearance. Underneath is soft.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: Dry weather allows

the wilting to get worse. Poor drainage,
heavy weed growth and poor soil fertility
possibly help a little in the disease attack.
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:
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]
What it looks like: 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. Once symptoms appear on the trunk
the root system is already infected and the
palm cannot survive.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: It mostly attacks

palms over 10 years old. Palms in poor soil
conditions especially low potassium get the
disease more.
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
Parey p 162
107
Disease: Bud rot of coconut
Scientific name: Phytophthora palmivora (Butler) Butler
What it looks like: Spots develop

especially on young nuts and at the stalk
end.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: It occurs in warm

areas with a high rainfall.
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.
The damage: Nuts fall off early.
Other plants that get the disease: It attacks cacao (Black pod), rubber (black
stripe), pawpaw (fruit rot) and over 135 other plants.
Control: Chemicals can be used to control the disease if necessary.
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.]

young coconuts. The spots are oval and
brown but get larger and turn pale in the
centre. The edges of the leaves can become
dead.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: It gets worse when

young coconuts are overcrowded or in
heavy shade or have poor soil fertility.
Heavy nitrogen fertiliser increases the
amount of disease. It gets worse when there
is dew on the leaves.
How the disease spreads: The spores blow in the wind.
The damage:

1. Increase the spacing of plants.
2. Improve the soil fertility.
3. Make the nursery less shaded.
4. Fertilise young plants with potassium and phosphorus fertilisers.
5. Use shade cloth to reduce dew.
References:
109
Disease: Grey leaf spot of coconut
Scientific name: Pestalotiopsis palmarum (Cooke) Steyaert
Synonym: Pestalotia palmarum Cooke
What it looks like: Small yellow brown

spots develop on the leaves. These become
white to grey and have a brown edge. The
spots are oval and about 1 cm long.

fungus.

poor growing conditions. This includes wet
conditions, planting close together and
where there is heavy shade. It often follows
attack by insects. It gets worse with poor
soil fertility.
How the disease spreads: The fungus spores blow in the wind then grow and
penetrate the upper surface of the leaf.
The damage: It is mostly a problem of seedling coconuts.
Other plants that get the disease: It also gets on Betel nut and Oil palm.
Control: Normally not necessary.

1. Space seedlings more widely.
2. Sprays of chemical fungicides can be used eg Bordeaux or Zineb.
3. Using potassium fertiliser reduces the disease.
4. The addition of seawater (200-1000 ml) and seaweed salt (20-100 g) to
bagged seedlings reduced the disease.
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.)
Scientific name: Ceratocystis paradoxa (Dade) Moreau

Asexual: Thielaviopsis paradoxa (de Seynes) Hohnel
What it looks like: A rusty brown

discolouration of the bark occurs. The
disease produces a characteristic smell

fungus. The fungus has a resting stage in its
cycle.

well between temperatures of 25°-32° C.
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
Corn (maize) diseases
Name Cause Scientific name Page
Common rust Fungus Puccinia sorghi 104

Tropical rust Fungus Puccinia polysora 112
Blister smut Fungus Ustilago zeae 105
Leaf blotch Fungus Setosphaeria turcica 106
and Peronosclerospora sorghi 107
Leaf blight Fungus Cochliobolus heterostrophus 108
Leaf spot Fungus Phoma sorghina 110
Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora sorghi 109
Leaf spot Fungus Bipolaris zeae 108
Leaf spot Fungus Curvularia lunata
Head smut Fungus Sphacelotheca reiliana 111
Irregular bleached areas Fungus Thanatephorus cucumeris
Collar rot Fungus Pythium butleri
112
Disease: Common rust of Corn
Scientific name: Puccinia sorghi Schw.
What it looks like: Small powdery lumps

occur on both surfaces of the leaves. The
lumps are dark brown to black.
The conditions it likes: It mostly occurs at

high altitudes (over 1200 metres). It spreads
in humid weather.
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:
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]
What it looks like: The above ground parts

of corn get silvery grey swellings. These
occur on the rapidly growing parts of the
plant and can be on the stem, leaf, tassel and
ear. These swellings occur at the place
where the infection occurred as the fungus
does not spread much within the plant.

fungus. It is a basidiomycete, which is the
mushroom family.
The conditions it likes: This disease is

more prevalent in warm and drier areas.
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.
The damage: Corncobs can be made completely inedible.
Other plants that get the disease: The disease is specific to corn.
Control: This is not easy.

1. Crop rotation is important. Corn cannot be re-sown in an infected garden
for many years.
2. It is important to pull out or chop off infected plants before the galls burst
and spread the spores. Infected plants should be burnt.
3. Seed treatment has been used but the chemicals used are not suitable for
use in a village and difficult where villagers save their own seed.
References:
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.]
What it looks like: Large long grey to

brown spots develop along corn leaves.
These spots may increase in size and cover
the whole leaf. The small spots are often
soft and watery. In the centre of the older
spots, spores develop giving the spots a
green velvety appearance.

fungus
The conditions it likes: This disease gets

worse where there is high humidity and low
temperatures. In the lowlands it can occur in
cooler wet seasons.
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:
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.)
What it looks like: The corn leaves show

regularly spaced yellow and light green
bands. Leaves later turn brown and die.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: It likes an

intermediate between wet and dry as a
certain daylength is needed for the fungus to
develop. It is not often found in wet places.
How the disease spreads: The disease spreads by spores from diseased leaves.
The damage: The maize plant is stunted.
Other plants that get the disease: Sugarcane and pitpit.
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
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.
What it looks like: Several spots up to 2.5

cm long occur mostly on the leaves. They
are pale brown with a dark edge. Sometimes
they have rings and can be grey with fungal
spores.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: It gets worse with

temperatures near 25° to 32°C.
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.
What it looks like: Spots usually form on

the lower leaves and spread upwards. They
are about 1 cm long and 3-5 mm wide.
Spots can join killing larger areas of leaf.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: Wet weather.
How the disease spreads: The fungal spores blow in the wind.
The damage: Normally not serious.
Other plants that get the disease: It mainly gets on sorghum and sorghum
grasses but sometimes attacks corn.
Control: Usually not required.
References:
118
Disease: Leaf spot of corn
Scientific name: Mycosphaerella holci Tehon
Asexual: Phoma sorghina (Sacc.) B, D, & K
[Synonym: Phyllosticta sorghina Sacc.]
What it looks like: Spots several

centimetres in length develop on leaves.
They have a reddish purple edge.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: It grows well

between 25° and 30°C.
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.
What it looks like: The flower becomes

replaced by the fungus. With sorghum this
means little grain is produced. Plant growth
is not otherwise reduced.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: Soil temperatures

of 21° to 28°C favour the disease
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.
What it looks like: The lumps of rust

coloured spores are lighter in colour and
rounder than common rust. Leaves die
early.

fungus.

hot temperatures (27°C) and high humidity.
It is mostly below about 1200 metres
altitude.
How the disease spreads: It can spread for short distances in the air. It can spread
with diseased plants.
The damage: Leaves turn yellow and die.
Control:
1. Use of varieties that get the disease less.
References:
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
Diseases of Onion family

Bunching onion (A. fistulosum)
Leaf spot Fungus Alternaria porri 114
Leek
Leaf blight Fungus Alternaria porri 114
Onion
Leaf tip withering Fungus Alternaria porri 114
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
122
Disease: Leaf blight of leek
(Also causes leaf spot onion and called purple blotch)
Scientific name: Alternaria porri (Ell.) Cif.
What it looks like: The leaves develop

greyish spots. They get larger and darker.
They can cause leaves to die.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: It spreads in wet

windy weather.
How the disease spreads: It survives on old onion plant remains.
The damage: It is often not serious.
Other plants that get the disease: Also affects bunching onion, onion, and
shallot.
Control:
1. Get rid of old onion plant remains.
References:
Persley, D.M. et al (eds), 1989, Vegetable Crops - a disease management guide
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]
What it looks like: Brown water-soaked

areas develop on tips and may turn grey on
drying out.

fungus.

low temperatures and high moisture.
Temperatures about 25°C are optimum.
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:
124
Disease: Smudge of onions
Scientific name: Colletotrichum circinans (Berk.) Vogl.
What it looks like: Small dark blotches

develop on the bulb. There are often rings
inside the spots.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: Warm wet weather

favours development and spread of the
fungus.
How the disease spreads: The disease can survive in the soil on onion remains.
The damage: It is mainly a problem of stored onions.
Other plants that get the disease: Onions and shallots.
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
125
Pandanus diseases - marita and karuka
Diseases of Pandanus
Karuka
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
126
Disease: Bacterial rot of marita
Scientific name: Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora
What it looks like: A bad smelling soft rot

of the leaves and fruit occur. The diseased
area of the leaf goes dark brown and soft.
The marita fruit rots internally but little
damage can be seen on the outside.

bacterium. It is a common bacterium that
affects many plants.
The conditions it likes: Little information

is available on the specific conditions
required for infection of marita to occur.
However the bacterium is widespread in
both lowland and highland conditions. In
other crops wounding is normally necessary
for invasion of the bacterium, and this is
likely in marita also.
How the disease spreads: It would have to spread by contact from infected
plants.
The damage: Fruit go soft and squashy and are useless.
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)
Scientific name: Lembosia pandani (Rost.) Theiss
What it looks like:
The cause:
The damage:
Other plants that get the disease: Marita and other pandanus.
Control:
References:
128
Diseases of the passionfruit family

Plant Disease Cause Scientific name Page
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.
129
Disease: Brown spot of Passionfruit
Scientific name: Alternaria passiflorae J.H.Simmonds
What it looks like: A round brown sunken

spot appears on the side of the fruit. Spots
also occur on the leaves. They are about 1
cm across. Spots can also occur on stems
near where leaves join.

fungus.

worse in wet warm weather.
How the disease spreads: The spores are spread by wind and rain. The disease
can spread from the weed passionflower (Passiflora foetida).
The damage: It damages the skin of passionfruit.
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:
Vock, N.T., 1978, A Handbook of Plant diseases in colour Vol 1 Queensland DPI
130
Disease: Chlorotic spot of passionfruit
(Also on Granadilla)
Scientific name: Chlorotic spot virus
What it looks like:
The damage:
Other plants that get the disease: Granadilla, passionflower.
Control:
References:
131
Disease: Phytophthora blight of passionfruit
(Also called seedling wilt)
Scientific name: Phytophthora nicotianae v.Breda de Haan var. nicotianae
What it looks like: The young growing tips

turn black and die. Large watery looking
spots occur on leaves. These become light
brown in colour. Leaves fall. Large grey
watery soft areas can occur on fruit. In wet
weather white fungal threads cover the fruit.
Fruit fall off. It may cause a collar rot in
mature plants.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: It spreads in wet

windy weather. The best temperature for the
disease is about 30°C.
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
Butt rot Fungus Athelia rolfsii

Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora papayae
Shot hole leaf spot Fungus Corynespora cassiicola 129
Anthracnose/Leaf spot Fungus Glomerella cingulata 250
Powdery mildew Fungus Oidium caricae 127
Root rot Fungus Phytophthora palmivora 128
Leaf spot & fruit rot Fungus Mycosphaerella caricae 125
Fruit rot Fungus Botrydiplodia theobromae
Fruit rot Fungus Fusarium oxysporum
Stem rot Bacterium Pseudomonas cepacia
Mosaic Virus 126
133
Disease: Leaf spot & fruit rot of pawpaw
Scientific name: Mycosphaerella caricae H.Sydow & Sydow

Asexual: Phoma caricae-papayae (Tarr) Punith.
What it looks like: This fungus produces a

black spot on mature fruit and brown and
white spots on leaves. Leaf stalks and stems
can also be affected.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: The fruit rot gets

worse in rainy seasons. Although rain is not
essential for the disease to spread it gets
worse with rain showers or in high
humidity.
How the disease spreads: The fungus blows in the wind.
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.
3. Fruit after harvest can be put in hot water at 33°C for 20 minutes to stop
infected fruit rotting.
References:
The fungus Cercospora papayae is also recorded from Papua New Guinea and probably does
similar damage.
134
Disease: Pawpaw mosaic
Scientific name:
What it looks like: Young leaves turn

yellow and do not grow properly. Often
there are yellow patches around the edge of
the leaf. Trees are stunted. Often they grow
several side branches.
The cause: It is probably a virus
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.
What it looks like: Light yellow patches

develop on the young leaves. These become
soft and watersoaked and have a white
powdery growth over them.
Round white patches can also develop
on the fruit. Grey scarred areas are left after
the white mould disappears.

fungus.

prevalent in warm dry conditions.
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.
What it looks like: 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.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: It occurs in warm

areas with a high rainfall.
How the disease spreads: Spores can spread by wind and rain. It can survive in
the soil.
The damage: Plants especially in wet areas die.
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:
Holliday, 1980, Fungus Diseases of Tropical Crops CUP p 83
137
Disease: Shothole of pawpaw
(Also called Brown spot.)
Scientific name: Corynespora cassiicola (Berk. & Curt.) Wei
What it looks like: Light brown round

spots about 1 cm across develop on pawpaw
leaves. The centre can sometimes fall out of
the spots. Spots can also appear on petioles
and fruit.

fungus.

worse with temperatures between 20°C and
27°C.
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.
The damage: On pawpaw it is not serious.
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.
Control: Not normally required for pawpaw.
References:
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
Bacterial wilt peanut Bacterium Pseudomonas solanacearum 131

Collar rot Fungus Aspergillus niger 132
Leaf spot Fungi Mycosphaerella arachidis 133
Leaf mottle Virus Marginal leaf chlorosis virus 134
Mild mottle Virus Cowpea mild mottle virus 135
Rust Fungus Puccinia arachidis 136
Leaf spot and pod rot Fungus Leptosphaerulina trifolii 137
Stem rot Fungus Athelia rolfsii 138
and Botryodiplodia theobromae 252
Collar rot Fungus Phomopsis sp.
Root rot Fungus Pythium sp.
Blackening stems Fungus Thanatephorus cucumeris 253
Mosaic Virus
139
Disease: Bacterial wilt of peanut
Scientific name: Pseudomonas solanacearum (E.F.Smith) E.F.Smith
What it looks like: Plants wilt and when the

stems are cut there is a brown discolouration
of the tissues.

bacterium.
The conditions it likes: Temperatures

between 25° and 35°C suit the disease best.
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)
Scientific name: Aspergillus niger v. Tiegham

(Athelia rolfsii can also cause collar rot of peanuts)
What it looks like: If seeds are dug up they

are covered with a sooty looking mass of
black spores. The young seedlings can fall
over and die due to the stem rotting off near
the ground. The lower leaves of the plant
become yellow. All stages from planted
seeds to mature plants can be attacked.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: The fungus can live

in dry soils and the disease likes high
temperatures (30°C to 35°C).
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.
The damage: Plants can die.
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:
Pest Control in Groundnuts PANS Manual No 2 p 31
141
Disease: Peanut leaf spot
(Also called early and late leaf spot of peanuts)
Scientific name: Mycosphaerella arachidis Deighton

Asexual: Cercospora arachidicola Hori
[Synonym: Mycosphaerella arachidicola W.A Jenkins]
and Mycosphaerella berkeleyi Jenkins
Asexual: Cercosporidium personatum (Berk & Curtis) Deighton
[Synonym: Cercospora personata (Berk & Curtis) Ell & Ev.]
What it looks like: Small brown pale areas

develop on the older leaves of peanuts.
These spots become dark brown (with C.
arachidicola) and black (with C.
personatum).
The cause: Two similar fungi are involved.

worse with temperatures between 20°C and
30°C and high humidity. Heavy rain helps
the fungus spread. Poor soil fertility can
increase the damage.
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
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi Nos. 411, 412, 1974 and Maps 166, 152
Parey p 127
Pest Control in groundnuts PANS Manual No 2
142
Disease: Peanut marginal chlorosis
Scientific name: Peanut marginal leaf chlorosis virus
What it looks like: Two or three weeks

after sowing, the leaves of diseased plants
turn yellow on the edges. They also become
wrinkled. The plants are smaller than
normal.
The cause: The disease is spread by a virus.
The conditions it likes: This disease will

occur wherever peanuts are grown although
in PNG it appears to be uncommon.
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.
Control: No control is normally necessary.

1. Use seed from healthy plants.
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
What it looks like: Small pale indistinct

spots develop on the leaf surface. Veins on
the leaf can go pale or clear. The leaves can
turn yellow, go brown or bronze underneath
or the leaves die. Leaves can also roll
upwards.
The cause: This disease is caused by a virus

called the cowpea mild mottle virus.
The conditions it likes: No information is

available from within PNG on the
conditions favourable to disease
development.
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.
The damage: So far the disease is only of minor importance.
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.]
What it looks like: Orange red lumps or

pustules appear on the lower leaf surface
and these feel rough to the touch. Older
infected leaves turn yellow and eventually
drop off.

wet season.
How the disease spreads: It is mostly spread by wind and rain.
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:
References:
145
Disease: Pepper spot & scorch of peanuts
Scientific name: Leptosphaerulina trifolii (Rostrup) Petrak
What it looks like: Very small spots (less

than 1 mm) develop on the upper side of the
leaf. Spots can join together and cause
leaves to die. If the disease is near the edge
of the leaf it can be brown with a yellow
margin and is called scorch.

fungus.

warm wet weather.
How the disease spreads: The disease is spread by wind.
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:
References:
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.
What it looks like: White fungal threads

can be seen over brown diseased areas of the
stem near ground level. Small hard round
bodies (called sclerotia) are produced near
the soil.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: The disease spreads

more rapidly under high humidity and wet
soil. It can still grow with soil pH from 1.4-
8.8. It can live for many years in the soil.
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:
Kranz, J., et al (eds) 1977, Diseases, Pests & Weeds of Tropical Crops p 148
Vock, N.T., (Ed), A Handbook of Plant Diseases in colour Vol 2 Queensland DPI
147
Potato diseases
Common scab Fungus Streptomyces scabies 141

Dry rot & wilt Fungus Fusarium oxysporium 142
Late blight Fungus Phytophthora infestans 143
Powdery scab Fungus Spongospora subterranea 147
Collar rot & wilt Fungus Athelia rolfsii
Storage rot Fungus Fusarium solani
Black scurf Fungus Thanatephorus cucumeris
Wilt Fungus Verticillium alboatrum 149
Black leg Bacterium Erwinia carotovora subsp. atroseptica
Soft rot Bacterium Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora
Bacterial wilt Bacterium Erwinia chrysanthemi
Leaf roll Virus Leaf roll virus 144
Interveinal mottling Virus Potato virus x 145
Mosaic & dying leaves Virus Potato virus y 146
148
Disease: Bacterial wilt of potatoes
Scientific name: Pseudomonas solanacearum (Smith)Smith
What it looks like: The leaves of the plant

wilt, the whole plant collapses and the plant
rots. If a tuber is cut and squeezed drops of
milky liquid often form in a ring around the
cut surface.

bacterium.
The conditions it likes: It tends to be a

disease of warm countries. (25°-35°C).
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:
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.
What it looks like: Small brown spots

develop around a breathing pore on the
tuber. These become a corky scab. This is
coarse and rough. There is not a powdery
mass of spores in the scab. (Unlike powdery
scab.)

fungus.
The conditions it likes: It normally only

damages tubers where the soil temperature
is below 20°C (air 25°-30°C). It is worse in
alkaline soils, low fertility soils and under
dry soil conditions.
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.

1. Adequate rainfall while tubers are developing reduces the damage so
watering would help.
2. Avoid planting diseased tubers.
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
What it looks like: Stored potato tubers

kept in poorly ventilated conditions become
hard, shrink and have circles of wrinkles.
The cut tissue inside is brown. Affected
plants in the field turn yellow, wilt and die.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: High storage

temperatures favour disease development.
The disease gets worse in crops in warmer
areas.
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:
151
Disease: Late blight of potato
(Also called Irish blight)
Scientific name: Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary
What it looks like: Spots start to develop

on the stems and leaves. They are not
distinct round spots (like target spot) but
irregular dark soft spots.

fungus.

fastest when temperatures are 18° to 22°C
and the humidity is high. It needs moisture
on the leaves for several hours.
How the disease spreads: The disease mostly spreads by the spores blowing in
the wind and rain on wet warm overcaste days.
The damage: Plants can collapse and tubers rot.
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
What it looks like: The edges of the leaves

roll inwards especially those of older leaves.
The leaves feel hard to touch. Young leaves
can stick up and be pale. Tubers do not
show disease signs.

more easily under conditions that allow
large numbers of aphids. Aphids are less in
windy places.
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.
The damage: Smaller tubers are produced.
Other plants that get the disease: No other plants get the disease.
Control:
1. Use potato tubers that do not have the disease.
References:
153
Disease: Potato virus x
Scientific name: Potato virus x
What it looks like: Leaves become pale in

patches and this is called a mosaic. The pale
patches are not clear or distinct.
Under some conditions and with some
varieties few signs show up in the leaves.
But fewer potatoes are produced.

more rapidly under conditions that favour a
build-up of aphids.
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.
The damage: Yields gradually get less with each crop.
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
What it looks like: The leave blades go

small and twisted. When x and y occur
together plants can be very stunted. Dead
areas occur under leaves. Leaves become
distorted and small

more rapidly under conditions that favour
build-up of aphids.
How the disease spreads: The disease is carried by aphids.
The damage: The loss of yield can be very significant.
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
What it looks like: On the tubers wart-like

growths develop. The edges of the scab
break open and it is sunken. The tissue in
the scabs is dry and powdery.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: It gets less in acid

soils. (It does not affect plants where the
acidity is less than 4.5) It gets worse in cool
weather with temperatures below 18°C. It
gets worse in wet areas.
How the disease spreads: The fungus spreads with the tubers. It can live in the
soil for many years.
The damage: It mainly only affects the appearance of the tubers.
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:
156
Disease: Target spot of potato
(Also called Early Blight of Potatoes)
Scientific name: Alternaria solani Sorauer
What it looks like: Dark round dead spots

develop on potato leaves. Often these have
rings inside them making them look like a
target. Leaves fall off plants.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: The fungus can

grow under a wide range of temperatures.
The disease spreads between plants most
easily when temperatures are between 20°C
to 25°C and the air and leaves are damp.
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
Parey p 186
157
Disease: Verticillium wilt of potato
Scientific name: Verticillium albo-atrum Reinke & Berthold
What it looks like: The leaves go soft and

hang down. The whole plant can wilt and
die. Diseased stems are discoloured brown
inside.
(A similar wilt can be caused either by
bacteria or by Fusarium fungi.)

fungus.
The conditions it likes: It mostly occurs in

cool or temperate places.
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.
The damage: Plants wilt and die.
Other plants that get the disease: Plants in the potato family (Solanaceae) get the
disease.
Control: Control is not necessary in PNG.

1. Crop rotations help control.
2. Resistant varieties can be used.
References:
158
Diseases of the pumpkin family

Bitter cucumber
Bottle gourd
Anthracnose Fungus Colletotrichum orbiculare 162
Choko
Leaf blotch
Cucumber
Leaf spot Fungus Alternaria alternata
Fruit rot Fungus Choanephora cucurbitarum 267
Damping off Fungi Pythium butleri 265
and Pythium deliense
Storage rot Fungus Colletotrichum sp.
and Fusarium sp.
and Phoma exigua
and Pythium sp. 265
Melon (Rockmelon)
Pumpkin
With storage rot Fungus Rhizoctonia sp. 266
Mosaic Virus Melon mosaic virus 163
Rockmelon (See Melon)

159
Snake gourd
Leaf spot Possibly bacterial
Squash and marrow

With storage rot Fungus Aspergillus sp.
Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora sp. 161
and Fusarium sp.
Mould under leaf Fungus Cercospora citrullina 161
Possible virus
Watermelon
and Leptosphaerulina trifolii
Damping off Fungus Pythium irregulare 265
Mosaic Probably virus 163
Zucchini
Leaf spot Fungus Alternaria cucumerina
Fruit rot Fungus Choanephora sp. 267
Storage rot Fungus Fusarium sp.
160
Disease: Downy mildew of Pumpkins
Scientific name: Pseudoperonospora cubensis (Berk. & Curt.) Rostov.
What it looks like: Cucumber and

rockmelon have angular yellowish white
spots on the leaves. Watermelon and
pumpkin leaves become yellow between the
veins. Leaves shrivel and die.

fungus. Different races of the fungus often
occur and infect different members of the
pumpkin family.
The conditions it likes: Wet weather and

warm temperatures between 15°C and 21°C
favour the disease. The disease stops below
5°C and above 30°C. High or low
humidities do not suit disease spread. Also
bright light helps kill the disease spores.
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:
Parey p 90
161
Disease: Leaf spot of Pumpkin family
Scientific name: Cercospora citrullina Cooke
What it looks like: On watermelon and

bitter cucumber, spots are round, pale with a
dark edge and about 3 mm across. On
cucumber and rockmelon spots are larger (6
mm) and angular. Greenish brown spores
occur under the leaf.

fungus.

develops in warm wet weather. It gets worse
where soil fertility is low.
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.
4. Remove weeds in the pumpkin family.
References:
162
Disease: Leaf spot/anthracnose of pumpkin family
Scientific name: Colletotrichum orbiculare (Berk. & Mont.) v Arx
[Synonym: Colletotrichum lagenarium (Pass.)Ell. & Halsted]
What it looks like: Spots can occur on

leaves, vines and fruit. They are small and
brown with a yellow ring around them. On
leaves the spots become black and often
develop on the veins. On vines they become
long and sunken. On fruit, round spots can
develop that are sunken in the centre but
with a raised edge.

fungus.

severe in warm wet conditions.
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.
References: CMI Distribution map 313

163
Disease: Mosaic of watermelon
Scientific name: (Presumably) Watermelon mosaic virus
What it looks like: Light and dark green

patches appear on leaves.

severe in warm dry conditions that favour
build-up of aphids.
How the disease spreads: The virus is spread by aphids.
The damage: It can seriously affect the amount of fruit formed.
Other plants that get the disease: It can affect watermelon and other pumpkin
family plants.
Control:
1. Get rid of old pumpkin plants.
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)
What it looks like: Large numbers of small

spores on the leaf surface give the
appearance of a powdery white coating on
both sides of leaves.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: It causes more

serious damage during the cool dry season.
A temperature between 20°C and 24°C and
a dry soil favour the disease.
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:
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:
165
Rice diseases

Brown sheath rot Fungus Gaeumannomyces graminis 166
Brown spot Fungus Cochliobolus miyabeanus 167
False smut Fungus Ustilaginoidea virens 168
Foot rot Fungus Gibberella fujikuroi 169
Glume blotch Fungus Phaeoseptoria oryzae 170
Leaf smut Fungus Entyloma oryzae 171
Leaf spot Fungi Trichoniella padwickii 172
and Alternaria padwickii
Narrow brown leaf spot Fungus Cercospora oryzae 173
Rice blast Fungus Pyricularia oryzae 174
Seedling blight Fungus Fusarium lateritium
Sheath blight Fungus Thanatephorus sasakii 175
Stem rot of rice Fungus Magnaporthe salvinii 176
White leaf streak Fungus Mycovellosiella oryzae 177
Rot at base of plant Fungus Athelia rolfsii 262
Leaf spot & on grains Fungi Cochliobolus cynodontis
and Cochliobolus geniculatus
and Cochliobolus hawaiiensis
Leaf blotch Fungus Metasphaeria oryzae-sativae
(Also several fungi isolated off stored grain.)
166
Disease: Brown sheath rot of rice
Scientific name: Gaeumannomyces graminis (Sacc.) v Arx & Olivier
[Synonym: Ophiobolus oryzinus Sacc.]
What it looks like: Brown fungal threads

can be found inside the sheath. They run
around the stem, and cause the plants to fall
over just above the ground.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: The disease will

occur wherever rice is grown.
How the disease spreads: It builds up on old rice straw.
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]
What it looks like: The disease gets on rice

leaves causing oval shaped spots. These spots
have a light brown centre, and dark brown edge.
The conditions it likes: It spreads fastest when

temperatures are about 25°C such as on the coast
in Papua New Guinea. Shaded plants get more
disease. Leaves that are damp get the disease
more easily. Plants growing poorly get more
damage. Cloud during the day and drizzly rain
help the disease spread. Imbalanced plant
nutrients help disease attack.
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
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
What it looks like: Individual grains of rice

develop yellow or green spore balls.

common and does more damage in cooler
mountain places. It likes wet humid places.
The temperature most suitable for growth
and spread of the disease is about 27°C.
Applying nitrogen to the crop can increase
the amount of disease.
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.

1. Some rice varieties get attacked less.
2. Chemicals can be used just before the grains are formed.
References:
Ou, S.H., 1973, A Handbook of rice diseases in the tropics IRRI p 42-45
169
Disease: Foot rot of rice
(Also called Bakanae)
Scientific name: Gibberella fujikuroi (Sawada) Wollendw.

Asexual: Fusarium moniliformis Sheldon
What it looks like: Seedling plants are

yellow, thin and long. In older plants, the
plants are taller and leaves dry up and turn
brown beginning with the oldest leaves. The
leaf edges dry first. A white or pink mass of
fungus threads occurs on the stem near the
ground. (Roots are not affected)

fungus.
The conditions it likes: It is less common at

low temperatures. The fungus grows best at
temperatures of 27°C -30°C.
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.
The damage: Losses can be high.
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:
Ou, S.H., 1973, A Handbook of rice diseases in the tropics IRRI Philippines
170
Disease: Glume blotch of rice
Scientific name: Phaeoseptoria oryzae Miyake
What it looks like: The spots on the leaves

have an irregular edge. Often they start at
the edge of the leaf. The spots are grey with
a red-purple border. The spots can occur on
leaves and glumes.

fungus.
How the disease spreads: Presumably the spores blow in the wind and rain.
The damage: Normally not serious.
Other plants that get the disease: The fungus only attacks rice.
Control: Normally not required.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Plant Pathogenic Fungi No 664, 1980
171
Disease: Leaf smut of Rice
Scientific name: Entyloma oryzae H. & P. Sydow
What it looks like: Small shiny black spots

develop on the leaves. They do not rub off.
When the disease is bad, leaves can turn
yellow and become split.

increases if nitrogen fertiliser is applied late
in the growth of the crop.
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:
172
Disease: Leaf spot of rice
Scientific name: Trichoconiella padwickii
Alternaria padwickii (Ganguly) Ellis
What it looks like:

fungus.
The conditions it likes: It is favoured by

high rainfall and small fluctuations in
temperature and humidity. The rice plant is
most susceptible at the milky stage. Fungal
incidence can continue after harvest but
decreases on threshing and drying of the
grain.
How the disease spreads: The disease is spread with the rice seed.
The damage: The disease can cause rice grains to be discoloured.
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:
173
Disease: Narrow brown leaf spot of rice
Scientific name: Sphaerulina oryzina Hara
Asexual: Cercospora oryzae Miyake
What it looks like: Small long spots

develop on the leaves. They are up to 10
mm long and 1 mm wide. Often the colour
is lighter brown near the edge.

best at 25° to 28°C. Older leaves of rice are
attacked.
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:
References:
Ou, S.H., 1973, A handbook of rice diseases in the tropics IRRI
174
Disease: Rice blast

Scientific name: Pyricularia oryzae
What it looks like:
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;]
What it looks like: Large spots develop on the

leaf sheath (the bottom of the leaf where it wraps
around the stem). The spots are long, brown
around the edge and light brown in the centre.
The cause: The disease is caused by a fungus. It

is a common fungus and in rice has become worse
with new varieties and intensive planting.
The conditions it likes: It likes high humidity.

The disease gets worse when a lot of nitrogen
fertiliser is used. Close planting and plants with
lots of tillers makes the disease worse. The
disease gets worse with temperatures 28° to 30°
C.
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.
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
176
Disease: Stem rot of rice
Scientific name: Magnaporthe salvinii (Catt.) Krause & Webster
(Synonym: Leptosphaeria salvinii Catt.)
Asexual: Nakataea sigmoidea
What it looks like: The symptoms of the

disease show up in the later stages of
growth. Dead spots appear on the outside of
the leaf sheath near the water line. Plants
may fall over.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: It can survive high

temperatures. High levels of nitrogen
fertiliser increase the disease.
How the disease spreads: Hard resting stages of the fungus can float and attach
onto new plants.
The damage: It is normally of minor importance.
Other plants that get the disease: No other plants have been recorded with the
disease in PNG.
Control:
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]
What it looks like: The leaf spots are 2-3

mm long. In the centre the spot is white and
it has a brown edge. The spot is visible on
both sides of the leaves. The disease is
similar to narrow brown leaf spot

fungus.
How the disease spreads: Presumably spores blow in the wind.
The damage:
It is only a minor disease.

Plants in the Oryza or rice group.
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
Brown spot Fungus Cercospora longipes 179

Brown stripe Fungus Bipolaris stenospila 182
Eye spot Fungus Bipolaris sacchari 182
Fiji disease Virus Sugarcane Fiji disease virus 183
Leaf scorch Fungus Stagonospora sacchari 184
Ring spot Fungus Leptosphaeria sacchari 185
Rust, orange Fungus Puccinia kuehnii 186
Pineapple disease Ceratocystis paradoxa 187
Ramu scorch 189
Ramu stunt 190
Red stripe Bacterium Pseudomonas rubrilineans 192
Rind disease Fungus Phaeocytostroma sacchari 193
Mosaic Virus 194
Red rot leaf sheath Fungus Athelia rolfsii 264
Red leaf streak Fungus Ramulispora sacchari
Syn. Cercosporella sp.
Leaf spot Fungus Tiarosporella madreeya
179
Disease: Brown spot of sugarcane
Scientific name: Cercospora longipes Butler
What it looks like: Brown spots form on

the older leaves. They are long and oval in
shape 13mm by 1mm. The spots are paler
on the lower surface. There may be a pale
yellow ring around the spots. They are
similar to those of yellow spot.
(Mycovellosiella koepkei).

fungus.
How the disease spreads: Presumably by wind blown spores.
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:
180
Disease: Brown stripe of sugarcane
Scientific name: Bipolaris stenospila (Drechsler) Shoem.
[Synonyms: Drechslera stenospila (Drechsler) Subraim
and Helminthosporium stenospilum Drechsler]
What it looks like: The spots are long and

thin. (25mm or more long). This makes
them form streaks but they do not have a
shape like eyespot. (Bipolaris sacchari)
When spots join large dead areas may form.

fungus.

best at 28° to 32°C. The disease gets more
severe in dry weather, and when sugarcane
is not growing well.
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:
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)
Scientific name: Peronosclerospora sacchari (Miy.) Shirai & Hara

[Synonym: Sclerospora sacchari Miy.]
Other species may also be involved.
What it looks like: Long light green stripes

occur on the leaf. These may have white
spots and leaves may strip into shreds. Older
stripes may turn yellow. Fine white soft
down can sometimes be seen. Young leaves
get attacked first.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: It spreads when the

temperature is about 25°C and there is a
high relative humidity.
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.
The damage: Growth is restricted. Plants infected early can die.
Other plants that get the disease: A number of grass plants can be attacked -
sugarcane, sorghum, pitpit, Setaria and maize/corn.
Control:
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:
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]
What it looks like: Several small red eyed

spots develop on young leaves of sugarcane.
These start about 1 mm x 1 mm across and
grow to 3-6 mm x 5-12 mm across. They
have a narrow yellow area around them.
Large areas of leaf can die.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: It must have

moisture on the leaves for the disease to get
started. Dew is more important than heavy
rain. It is commonest in cooler months.
Plants get worse damage when they are
growing very quickly. Temperatures need
to be less than 25°C.
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:
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
183
Disease: Fiji disease of sugarcane
Scientific name: Fiji Disease Virus (FDV)
What it looks like: The sugarcane leaves

become distorted and lumps and galls
develop on the undersurface of the leaves.
When leaves are growing quickly new
leaves can be shorter and stiffer and look
like a fan. The plant can be stunted.
The cause: The disease is cause by a virus.
The conditions it likes: The disease occurs

from the coast to the highlands.
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:
3. Infected plants should be harvested early then the remainder of the plant
destroyed.
References:
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
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?
What it looks like: Very small brown spots

develop on the leaves. They gradually
become long and develop a yellow ring
around the edge. Finally spots can be 20 cm
x 1 cm in size.

fungus.

most rapidly when temperatures are between
20° and 25°C.
How the disease spreads: Wind blown rain and dew are essential for the fungus to
spread.
The damage: Infected canes store less sugar.
Other plants that get the disease: Some wild grasses in the sugarcane family can
get the disease.
Control:
References:
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
What it looks like: Dark green spots with

narrow yellow edges develop on leaves.
These can become oval and irregular in
shape and form dark reddish patches. The
spots are more common on older leaves.
The cause: The disease is probably caused

by a fungus but this fungus may start to
grow after other fungi have damaged the
leaf.
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
Scientific name: Puccinia kuehnii (Krug.) Butler

[Synonyms: Uromyces kuehnii Kruger
and Uredo kuehnii Wakk. & Went.]
What it looks like: Small long yellow rust

spots develop on both sides of leaves. These
spots get longer and turn brown. Then an
orange-brown rust pustule breaks out. The
lumps occur in groups on the lower half of
the leaf. (Another rust called common rust
(Puccinia melanocephala) is spreading to
most countries of the world, probably in the
wind. It suits the highlands. 18°C.)

fungus.
The conditions it likes: It probably gets

worse when temperatures are between 20°
and 25°C and up to 30°C and humidity of
70-90%. Cloudiness and wind help spread
the disease.
How the disease spreads: It is spread by wind and rain.
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:
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]
What it looks like: Sugarcane setts turn red

then rot. They have a smell like pineapples.

fungus. The fungus normally occurs in the
asexual or imperfect form. Small long
spores and larger curved spores are
produced in chains.
The conditions it likes: It likes warm

conditions between 25° and 32°C such as on
the coast in Papua New Guinea. When soils
are cold and wet the sugarcane cuttings start
to grow more slowly which gives the
disease more time to attack the plants.
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.
The damage: Setts can rot completely and not grow.
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:
2. Grow in well drained but moist soil.
3. Get rid of diseased setts.
4. Cuttings can be soaked in chemicals.
References:
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.]
What it looks like: Young leaves go yellow

near the base, leaves become wrinkled and
red areas can occur. Stems can also be
distorted.

fungus.

worse in very wet weather especially when
this follows a dry period. Cane between 3 to
7 months old and growing rapidly gets most
disease.
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:
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:
What it looks like: Large straw-coloured

spots with red-brown edges occur on leaves.
The spots have a yellow ring around them.
In some varieties the spots joined to kill the
leaves.
The cause: Unknown but several fungi have

been implicated in causing the disease.

severe in prolonged dry periods.
How the disease spreads: Wind blown spores are the most likely mode of spread
for this disease.
The damage: It can be severe in susceptible varieties although some varieties

appear to have resistance to the disease.
Other plants that get the disease: The disease has not been recorded on any other
plants.
Control:
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
What it looks like: White to pale yellow-

green stripes occur on leaves. The growth
rate is reduced and roots develop poorly.
Plants become severely stunted.
The cause: It is probably caused by a virus

or mycoplasma.
The conditions it likes: The disease appears

to be more serious in prolonged dry periods.
How the disease spreads: It spreads very rapidly.
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
Scientific name: Glomerella tucumanensis (Speg.) Arx & Muller

[Synonym: Physalospora tucumanensis Speg.]
Asexual: Colletotrichum falcatum Went.
What it looks like: Red areas with white

flecks occur within the stems. Small red
spots can occur on the leaf sheath especially
near the midrib. The buds get damaged and
a poor stand of cane is produced. Stalks
need to be cut lengthwise to check red and
white patches in the stalk.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: Damaged stems,

including borers, allow the disease to get
started. It gets worse in cooler areas.
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.
5. Rotate sugarcane crops
References:
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]
What it looks like: It can cause leaf stripe

and top rot. The leaf stripe has long narrow,
uniform, dark-red stripes. They may start as
watery-green stripes but become red. The
disease is more common on young leaves.

bacteria.

high humidity. It is worse in cool places.
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.
The damage: It can cause the top of plants to rot.
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]
What it looks like: Leaves may turn yellow

early due to the fungus on the leaf sheaths.
Black spots like pimples (pustules) on the
stalks can give off black, coiled, hair-like
masses of spores under moist conditions.

fungus.

worse where there are low temperatures,
high salinity, poor drainage, and mechanical
damage to cane prior to planting.
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:
194
Disease: Sugarcane mosaic
(Also called yellow stripe disease)
Scientific name: Sugarcane mosaic virus
What it looks like: A pattern of light green

and dark green areas develop on the leaves.
The pale areas can be most easily seen in
young rapidly growing leaves. Sometimes
these are just yellowish stripes but there can
be large yellowish patches. The pale areas
can also be on the leaf sheath and the cane
stalk.
The cause: It is caused by a virus.
The conditions it likes: Any conditions that

favour aphids can also favour disease
development. Aphid populations normally
increase in warm, dry calm weather.
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:
Koike, H. & Gillaspie, A.G., in Ricaud, C et al, 1989, Diseases of Sugarcane Elsevier p
301-314
195
Disease: Tar spot of sugarcane
Scientific name: Phyllachora sacchari P. Henn.
What it looks like: Black tar like spots

occur on the leaves.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: The disease appears

to be more common in warm wet conditions.
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.
Control: None normally required.
References:
196
Disease: Veneer blotch of sugarcane
Also affects Coastal pitpit
Scientific name: Deightoniella papuana D. Shaw
What it looks like: The disease causes a

distinct pattern on the upper surface of the
leaves. It begins as a small oval leaf spot,
light green with a red border. New long
spots develop on either side of the original
spot forming a long patterned leaf spot.

fungus.

common in warm humid conditions.
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.
Control: No control is necessary.
References:
Shaw, D.E., 1959, PNG Ag. J. 11(1956): 77
197
Disease: Yellow spot of sugarcane
Scientific name: Mycovellosiella koepkei (Kruger) Deighton

[Synonym: Cercospora koepkei Kruger]
What it looks like: On the young leaves of

sugarcane and coastal pitpit small yellow
pinpoint spots appear. These spots later join
and become irregular in shape.

Different races of the fungus occur which
means vertical resistance can break down.

worse during wet, humid weather and high
temperatures (28°C). Humidities over 80%
are possibly necessary.
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.
The damage: The leaves of sugarcane and pitpit die early.
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:
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
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.
Leaf spot Fungus Bipolaris sacchari 182
Downy mildew Fungus Peronosclerospora sp. 181
Rust Fungus Puccinia kuehnii 186
Fiji disease Virus 183
Mosaic Virus 194
For details of Coastal pitpit diseases see Sugarcane.
Highlands pitpit
Tar spot Fungus Phyllachora minutissima 201
Rust Fungi Uredo palmifoliae 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]
What it looks like: A dead brown elongated

spot develops on the leaves. The spot tends
to be grey in the centre, dark brown around
the edge and with a narrow yellow margin
around the spot.

fungus.
How the disease spreads: Fungal spores blow in the wind.
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]
What it looks like:
The cause: The disease is caused by two

different fungi.
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)
What it looks like: Small black raised spots

develop on the leaf. They look like small
specks of tar. They are firmly attached to
the leaf. (Not like a sooty mould).

fungus
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
Sweet potato diseases

Charcoal rot Fungus Macrophomina phaseolina 194

Fusarium wilt Fungus Fusarium oxysporum 195
Leaf blight Fungus Phomopsis ipomoea-batatas 197
Leaf spot Fungus Pseudocercospora timorensis 196
Leaf spots Fungus Ascochyta convolvuli 207
and Cercospora bataticola 207
and Didymella sp.
and Phoma sorghina
Scab Fungus Elsinoe batatas 208
Black rot Fungus Ceratocystis fimbriata 209
Soft rot Fungus Rhizopus stolonifer 210
Little leaf & vein clearing MLO Mycoplasma like organism 211
Scurf Fungus Moniliochaetes infuscans
Tuber rot Fungus Botrydiplodia theobromae 265
Bacterium Erwinia sp. 262
Bacterium Erwinia chrysanthemi
Fungus Fusarium sp.
Storage rot Fungus Aspergillus sp.
and Choanephora sp.
and Mucor sp.
Blue mould rot Fungus Penicillium sp.
Leaf curling Potyvirus
203
Disease: Charcoal rot of sweet potato
Scientific name: Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid.
[Synonyms: Macrophomina phaseoli (Maubl.) Ashby
and Sclerotium bataticola Taub.
and Rhizoctonia bataticola (Taub.) Briton-Jones.]
What it looks like: A dark rot develops on

the lower stem. It can attack young stems or
aging stems but not stems growing well.

fungus. The fungus lives on roots in the soil.
The conditions it likes: It can only attack

plants not growing well. It gets worst when
temperatures are 35° to 39°C.
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
What it looks like: The tuber stops growing

and rots because the vine connection to the
tuber rots off. When the vine or tuber is cut
open the conducting tissue is blackened in a
ring around the vine or tuber.

fungus. Damage to tubers makes it easier for
the fungus to get inside and cause infection.
Very small worms called nematodes may
damage the roots and tubers of sweet potato
and make the disease worse.
The conditions it likes: It occurs in cold

places.
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.
The damage: It can be very serious and stop tuber growth.
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:
205
Disease: Leaf spot of sweet potato
Scientific name: Pseudocercospora timorensis (Cooke) Deighton
[Synonyms: Cercospora timorensis Cooke
and Cercospora batatae A.W.Zimmerm.]
What it looks like: Small angular brown

spots (6 mm across) develop mostly on old
leaves. They develop first on the leaf
borders and tips and spread over the leaf
surface.

fungus.

worse with wet weather. It also gets worse
with low soil fertility. It is worse in warm
humid conditions.
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.

2. Improve the growing conditions - well drained and aerated soil.
3. It can be stopped with chemical fungicides (zineb, maneb, captan etc).
4. Allow more than 2 years before growing sweet potato in the same garden
site.
References:
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
What it looks like: Distinct small spots

develop on old leaves. They have a purplish
brown edge. The spots grow larger (5-10
mm) and become dry and pale brown with a
darker edge. They are more obvious on the
top leaf surface.

fungus.

usually more severe in cooler weather with
prolonged wet weather.
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.
Control: Probably not necessary.

1. Good clean gardens and removing old plant remains probably helps.
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.
What it looks like: Brown spotting occurs

on sweet potato leaves and stems. The size
and shape differs with different fungi
causing the leaf spotting.
The cause: These diseases are caused by

fungi.
The conditions it likes: Fungal leaf spots

are normally more serious in wet weather.
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
What it looks like: Scabby lesions and

spots occur on the veins and vines
particularly under the leaf. The leaves are
twisted and distorted.

fungus.

cool wet weather (13°-26°C).
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:
2. Use clean planting material.
References:
CMI Distribution Maps of Plant diseases Map 447
Goodbody, S., Plant pathology Note No 17 Harvest 8(2) p 99
209
Disease: Sweet potato black rot
Scientific name: Ceratocystis fimbriata Ell. & Halst.
[Synonym: Ceratostomella fimbriata (Ell. & Halst) Elliott]
What it looks like: Small slightly sunken black

spots develop on underground parts. They may
eventually cover almost the whole tuber. Aerial
parts of the plant may be affected as well.
Fungal spores are often produced in the centre
of the spots.

The fungus produces both sexual and asexual
spores.
The conditions it likes: The disease is worse

when soil is wet for long periods and when
sweet potato tubers are damaged. It is common
when sweet potato tubers are left for long
periods in the ground before digging up.
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]
What it looks like: A soft watery brown rot

of tubers.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: It needs a wound to

get started. It gets worst at cool temperatures
and is controlled above 37°C or below
10°C.
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.
The damage: Tubers become soft then rot completely.
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:
211
Disease: Witches' Broom of Sweet potato
(Also called little leaf mycoplasma and sweet potato little leaf)
Scientific name:
What it looks like: Leaves become small

and pale yellow. The distance between
leaves along the stalk become much
reduced.

mycoplasma-like-organism (MLO). This is
a very small bacterium without a protective
cell wall. It can only grow in the nutrient
conducting tissues of the plant. Antibiotics
can reverse the symptoms produced by
MLOs but do not provide a cure for the
disease.

seasonally dry areas. This is probably
because the insect that spreads it becomes
more common in dry areas.
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
Chinese taro
Root rot Fungi Phytophthora citricola 220
Phytophthora nicotianae
Pythium vexans
and ? Aphelenchoides sp.
and ? Bursaphalenchus sp.
Leaf wrinkle Virus Bobone 204
Leaf speckle Virus Dasheen mosaic 209
Elephant foot yam

Leaf spot Fungus Pseudocercospora protensa
Rough blotched leaves Virus
Giant taro
Leaf spot Fungus Mycosphaerella alocasiae
Rust Fungus Uredo alocasiae
Yellow spot Alga Phyllosiphon sp.
Swamp taro
Taro
Brown leaf spot Fungus Cladosporium colocasiae 216
Leaf spot Fungus Neojohnstonia colocasiae 218
Shot hole Fungus Phyllosticta sp. 221
Blight Fungus Phytophthora colocasiae 222
Root rot Fungus Pythium spp. 220
Mosaic Virus Dasheen mosaic virus 219
Dwarfed plants Viruses Alomae & Bobone viruses 214
Bacterial leaf blight Bacterium Xanthomonas campestris 215
213
214
Disease: Alomae/Bobone of taro
Scientific name:
What it looks like: With alomae the leaves

at first have a fine feathery pattern. The
leaves are wrinkled and thicker than normal.
Dead patches develop along the leaf stalk
and plants can die. With bobone leaves are
stunted and twisted but remain dark green.
Alomae occurs on plants with few suckers
and bobone on plants with several suckers.
The cause: Two different viruses get into

taro plants causing these diseases. These
diseases look similar. Sometimes only one
or the other virus attacks. There are also
other virus diseases of taro. When the two
viruses occur together the disease gets bad.
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
What it looks like: Either leaves turn

brown at the edges and the browning moves
towards the centre of the leaf causing
collapse of the leaf or under natural
conditions small brown spots may occur
over the entire surface of the leaf.

bacterium.
The conditions it likes: The condition

seems to be limited to warmer areas with
long periods of wet rainy weather.
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.
Control: Probably not necessary in PNG.

1. Wider spacing or intercropping would reduce the disease.
2. Avoid any unnecessary damage to leaves.
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)
Scientific name: Cladosporium colocasiae Sawada (Bugnicort)
What it looks like: Reddish brown spots 5-

10 mm across occur on taro leaves. The
spots have an unclear edge. The spots occur
on both sides of the leaves. The disease is
more common on old leaves. It can cause
leaves to become twisted and dead.

fungus.

damp and humid conditions.
How the disease spreads: The spores blow in the wind.
The damage: The disease is not serious.
Other plants that get the disease: None.
References:
Bugnicort, F., 1958, Rev Mycol 23:233 (38:176).
217
Disease: A leaf blight of taro
(Not Taro blight)
Scientific name: Thanatephorus cucumeris (Frank) Donk

What it looks like: This fungus attacks

parts of plants near the ground. Often grey
threads of fungus can be seen over the base
of plants. It occurs on stems, petioles and
leaves near the ground.

fungus. It is a very common fungus and
affects many different plants. The fungus
occurs in the soil.
The conditions it likes: It attacks young

plant parts often after wounding has already
occurred. It can occur with a wide range of
temperatures. It gets worse with high
humidity, and when there is rain or
moisture.
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]
What it looks like: It causes orange or

brown spots on upper surfaces of the leaves.
On the lower leaf surface spots are pale
yellow covered with a back velvety layer.
The spots can be round or irregular. They
can be up to 1.5 cm across.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: The disease only

occurs in coastal areas in the wet season.
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.
Control: No control is necessary in PNG
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
What it looks like: The leaves develop

irregular pale and dark green patterns over
the leaves. The leaves are not particularly
wrinkled. Often the leaves have a feathery
pattern of colours.

virus. The type of virus is called a potyvirus.
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.
Control: Not necessary in PNG at present.

1. It is possible to control this virus by techniques of seed production or by
using a method called tissue culture in laboratories. This gives clean planting
material.
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)
Scientific names: Phytophthora citricola

and Phytophthora nicotianae
and Pythium arrhenomanes
and Pythium vexans
What it looks like: Plants rot near the

ground level and roots rot in the ground.
The cause: It is caused by fungi.
The conditions it likes: Thes diseases in the

field get worse with poor growing
conditions where soil fertility, crowding and
damp conditions restrict the healthy growth
of the taro. All the fungi causing these corm
and root rots require water soaked soil for
their growth.
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
What it looks like: Spots from 0.5 cm to

2.5 cm across can develop on leaves. They
are oval or irregular. The young spots are a
dull yellow colour then they turn brown
with a pale ring around them. Often the
centre of the leaf spot drops out leaving a
hole. The spots can be seen on both surfaces
of the leaf. Unlike taro blight spots there is
not a whitish growth of spores in the spot in
the early morning before leaves dry.

fungus. This fungus produces small black
fruiting bodies that can often be seen in the
spots.

worse with cloudy, rainy weather and cool
winds. The disease gets less with hot dry
days and dry cool nights.
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.
Control: Not necessary in PNG.

1. Removing and burning infected leaves, helps stop the spread of the
disease.
2. It could be stopped by using fungicides, but this is probably not
worthwhile.
References:
222
Disease: Taro blight
Scientific name: Phytophthora colocasiae Racib
What it looks like: Small spots on the

leaves gradually increase in size. They are
purplish brown in colour and drops of liquid
can often be seen around the edge of the
spots. Often there is a line of spots down a
leaf where the disease has run down. The
edges of the leaf die.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: It likes warm

humid places. The disease gets worse when
day temperatures are about 25°-28°C and
night temperatures are 20°-22°C and the air
and leaves are damp. These conditions occur
in wetter places in Papua New Guinea up to
about 800 metres altitude.
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.
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.
Trujillo, E.E., Diseases of Colocasia in the Pacific. 1st Int. Symp. Root Crops. IV - 13
223
Tomato and capsicum diseases

Diseases of the tomato family (Solanaceae)
(Potato are covered separately)
Blackberried nightshade
Cape gooseberry
Leaf spot Fungus Cercospora physalidis
Capsicum
Leaf spot Fungus Alternaria sp. 224
Fruit rot Fungus Curvularia sp.
Leaf blotch Fungus Thanatephorus cucumeris 266
Wilt Fungus Fusarium solani
and Fusarium sp.
Storage rot Bacterium Erwinia carotovora 263
Bacterial leaf spot Bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv.
vesicatoria
Leaf distortion Virus Possibly potato virus y
Chilli
Leaf & fruit blotch Fungus Thanatephorus cucumeris 266
Eggplant
Collar & stem rot Fungus Pythium butleri 265
Storage rot Fungus Alternaria sp.
and Botrydiplodia theobromae 265
Naranjilla
224
Tomato
and Phytophthora nicotianae 229
and Pythium butleri
Anthracnose Fungus Colletotrichum sp. 216
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 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
Meloidogyne incognita 271
Meloidogyne javanica 271
Tree tomato
Spots (Anthracnose) Fungus Glomerella cingulata 261
Root rot Fungus Phytophthora palmivora
and Pythium sp. 266
225
Disease: Anthracnose of capsicum
Scientific name: Colletotrichum capsici (Syd.) Butler & Bisby
(Often another fungus Curvularia lunata was also associated with this fruit rot.)
What it looks like: Tips and young plant

parts turn brown and die back.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: It needs moist air

and high humidity. Serious outbreaks mostly
occur after rain. It can grow with
temperatures from 10°C to 37°C with 32°C
as the best temperature for disease spread.
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.
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;)
Scientific name: Pseudomonas solanacearum (E.F.Smith) E.F.Smith
What it looks like: The branches and leaves

wilt and hang down. If the disease has
developed slowly the plant may put lots of
extra roots on the stem just above the
ground. When the stem is cut across the
conducting tissue just under the bark is
brown and the cut end gives off a milky sap
in water.

bacterium.
The conditions it likes: Temperatures

between 25° and 35°C favour the disease.
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]
What it looks like: Dark brown spots

develop on the leaves. They are usually
angular and vary in size. The spores that
develop give a felt-like appearance to the
spots. Sometimes the spots are indistinct and
pale yellow.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: It is more common

in the lowlands. The fungus grows fastest at
about 26° to 28°C.
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:
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]
What it looks like: Irregular spots develop

on leaves. The spots are yellow green on
the topside of the leaf and greenish purple
underneath.

fungus.

worse in the cool season (21°-25°C) when
there is high humidity (95%).
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
229
Disease: Buckeye rot of tomato
(Also called fruit rot of tomato)
Scientific name: Phytophthora nicotianae var. nicotianae
What it looks like: On the fruit a green to

brown firm rot develops. It has an indistinct
watersoaked edge to the spots and often
there are rings inside the spot. The
remainder of the fruit remains firm.

fungus. It is a common fungus that occurs
in the soil.

normally gets worse in warm places.
Temperatures about 30°C or above, favour
the disease. It gets worse in low-lying
poorly drained areas.
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:
230
Disease: Fruit spot of tomato
Scientific name: Didymella lycopersici Klebahn
What it looks like: Spots develop on the

stems of tomato plants. It can cause rots of
the stems and spots on the fruit.

fungus.

worse with high humidity (> 90%). It also
develops more quickly with low soil and air
temperatures and low light intensities.
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
What it looks like: Spots on the leaves are

soft, damp and brown. They can be 2 mm
across. They are light coloured in the centre.

fungus.

worse when there is dew on the leaves or
high humidity for 48 hours and the
temperature is near 25°C.
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.
The damage: Leaves fall off early.
Other plants that get the disease: Tomato, blackberried nightshade, eggplant.
Control:
2. Rotate crops.
3. Get rid of weeds in the tomato family.
4. It can be controlled with chemical fungicides. (Zineb)
References:
232
Disease: Mosaic of tomatoes
Scientific name: Tobacco mosaic virus
What it looks like: Leaves are crinkled

with pale and dark green patterns.
The cause: The virus could be tobacco

mosaic virus but several other viruses also
affect tomato.
The conditions it likes: No studies have

been carried out on this disease in PNG.
The damage:
Control:
References:
233
Disease: Target spot of tomatoes
(Also called Early Blight.)
Scientific name: Alternaria solani Sorauer
What it looks like: Small dark round spots

on the leaves get bigger and have rings
inside them. Round sunken spots with rings
can also occur on stems.

fungus.

probably gets worse at temperatures of
about 20°-25°C. It needs moist air.
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.
Other plants that get the disease: Potato and tomato.
Control:
1. Get rid of old diseased plants and fruit.
3. Seed can be treated with chemicals.
4. The disease can be stopped with chemical fungicides.
References:
Plant pathology note No 16 Harvest 8(1) p 39
234
Disease: Tomato spotted wilt
Scientific name: Tomato spotted wilt virus
What it looks like:
The cause:
The damage:
Other plants that get the disease: It can cause spotted wilt of lettuce.
Control:
References:
235
Yam diseases
Five leaflet yam

Leaf spot
Greater yam
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
Lesser yam
Leaf spot Fungus Cylindrosporium dioscoreae
Leaf spot Fungus Guignardia dioscoreae 238
Leaf spot Bacterium Xanthomonas sp. 242
Mosaic Perhaps virus
Potato yam
Leaf mould Fungus Pseudocercospora ubi 242
Also general or non-specific on "yams"

Leaf spot Fungus Curvularia sp. 243
Dry rot Fungus Fusarium sp.
Collar rot Fungus Fusarium oxysporum
and Penicillium funiculosum
and Penicillium javanicum
With tuber rot Fungus Scutelina badio-berbis
Leaf spot Fungus Mycosphaerella contraria 243
Leaf spot Fungus Mycosphaerella papuana 243
Necrosis of tubers Nematode Pratylenchus sp.
Silvering of yam leaves Fungus Possibly Botryodiplodia theobromae 241
236
237
Disease: Anthracnose of yams
(Also called dieback)
Scientific name: Glomerella cingulata (Stonem) Spauld et Schrenk.

[Synonyms: Gloeosporium pestis Massee
and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Penz]
What it looks like: Often the disease starts

as small brown spots on the older leaves.
The spots get larger, turn black and the
leaves die. Fruiting bodies give the
appearance of dark rings in the spots.

fungus.

worse in hot wet humid places. It spreads
most rapidly when there are heavy rains.
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:
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)
Scientific name: Phyllosticta dioscoreae Cooke

[Syn ? Guignardia dioscoreae Pande]
What it looks like: Small brown spots

occur on leaves especially lower leaves. The
centres of the spots sink and turn grey while
the edges are dark brown. Holes can form in
the centre of the spots.

fungus.

worse in the wet season.
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.
Control: Not normally necessary in PNG.
References:
239
Disease: Rust of lesser, potato & five leaflet yam
(See also yam rust Goplana dioscoreae)
Scientific name: Uredo dioscoreae-sativae H & P Sydow

[Synonym: Uredo dioscoreae-pentaphylla Petch]
What it looks like: It causes leaf spots and

leaf blights.

fungus.
How the disease spreads: The disease spreads by wind-blown spores.
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
What it looks like: Small pin-head sized

bright yellow orange lumps form on the
leaves.

fungus.

humid conditions.
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.
What it looks like: Leaves especially of the

greater yam (D. alata) develop a silvery
colour and appear to start drying off early.
The cause: The cause is most probably a

fungus (Botryodiplodia theobromae) that
occurs commonly on cacao, coconuts and
other crops.

best at relatively high temperatures of about
30°C. It tends to only attack plants as a
secondary organism after they have been
damaged or are not growing well due to
some other cause such as nematodes.
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:
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.
What it looks like:
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.
What it looks like: Brown spots occur on

leaves and stems.
The cause: The diseases are caused by

fungi.

available but it is probably warm humid
conditions.
How the disease spreads: The disease spreads by wind-blown spores and rain
splash.
The damage:
References:
244
Diseases of other crops
Leaf spot carrot Fungus Alternaria dauci 245

Septoria spot celery Fungus Septoria apiicola Speg. 246
Rust of Fig trees Fungus Cerotelium fici 247
Heart rot of galip Fungus Phellinus noxius 248
Downy mildew grapes Fungus Plasmopara viticola 249
Powdery mildew grapes Fungus Uncinula necator 250
Collar rot of lettuce Fungus Athelia rolfsii 251
Leaf spot of Lettuce Fungus Septoria lactucae 252
Anthracnose mango Fungus Glomerella cingulata 270
Peach leaf curl Fungus Taphrina deformans 254
Peach rust Fungus Transchelia discolor 255
Water blister of pineapple Fungus Ceratocystis paradoxa 256
Leaf spot silver beet Fungus Cercospora beticola 257
Eye spot strawberry Fungus Mycosphaerella fragariae 258
Scorch of strawberry Fungus Diplocarpon earlianum 259
245
Disease: Leaf spot of carrot
(Also called leaf blight)
Scientific name: Alternaria dauci (Kuhn) Groves & Skolko
What it looks like: Small dark spots with a

yellow margin develop on carrot leaves.
Older leaves are attacked first. The spots
occur on the veins and leaf stalk. The leaves
turn yellow, then brown and black. The
leaflets shrivel at the edges.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: It gets worse where

there is frequent rain and temperatures of
about 27°C. The leaf surface needs to be
wet.
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:
246
Disease: Septoria spot of celery
Scientific name: Septoria apiicola Speg.
What it looks like: Small yellow spots

develop on the leaves and stalks. They get
larger and turn brown. Small black spots
occur on these spots.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: It spreads during

wet windy weather. It gets worse in cool
weather.
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
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.)
What it looks like: Rust coloured spots

develop between the veins.

fungus.

available at present on the conditions
favourable to disease development in Papua
New Guinea.
How the disease spreads: The rust probably spreads from old diseased leaves.
The damage: The leaves can fall off trees.
Other plants that get the disease: Fig and other Ficus spp., Mulberry, and
Polynesian mulberry or Tapa plant.
Control: No control is necessary in PNG at present.

1. Sulphur fungicides can be used.
References:
248
Disease: Heart rot of galip
Scientific name: Phellinus noxius (Corner) G.H.Cunn.
[Synonym: Fomes noxius Corner]
What it looks like: 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.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: The fungus may

only attack after plants are weakened.
How the disease spreads: Fungal spores blow in the wind.
The damage: Young trees can quickly be killed.
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
What it looks like: Pale yellow to clear

spots develop on young leaves. These
become large dead areas. In wet weather
there is a fine downy growth under the
leaves.

fungus.

worse in moist weather.
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.
Control: No control is normally necessary in Papua New Guinea at present.

1. Spray with fungicide chemicals.
2. Remove old leaves and any parts of vines that are cut off.
References:
250
Disease: Powdery mildew grapes
Scientific name: Uncinula necator (Schwein.) Burr.
[Synonym: Oidium tuckeri Berk.]
What it looks like: Indistinct white patches

start on the leaf and spread to cover the leaf.
They have a fine grey dusty coating. Canes
and fruit can become rough.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: It can spread in dry

air. It is favoured by cooler temperatures.
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:
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.
What it looks like: Young plants rot off

near ground level, fall over and die. Small
hard, brown pellet-like fungal structures can
often be seen on the soil surface
immediately next to the infected stem.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: The fungus is

widespread in warm places. It causes most
damage in wet sandy soils.
How the disease spreads: The fungus can live in the soil.
The damage: The fungus causes a collar rot.
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:
Kranz, J., 1977, Diseases, Pests and Weeds of Tropical Crops p 148
252
Disease: Leaf spot of Lettuce
(Also called Septoria leaf spot)
Scientific name: Septoria lactucae Pass.
What it looks like: Several small irregular

spots develop on the outer leaves of lettuce.
These get larger, become brown with a pale
ring and the centre falls out.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: Cool wet

conditions favour the disease.
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.
The damage: It can be severe.
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
253
Disease: Anthracnose of mango
Scientific name: Glomerella cingulata (Stonem.) Spauld & Schrenck
[Synonym: Glomerella mangifera Penz.]
Asexual: Colletotrichum gloeosporoides Penz.
What it looks like: Small black spots occur

on the leaves. These form larger dark dry
areas then join together. Small black
irregular spots also form on the flowers and
cause the flowers to turn black and fall.
Small black specks can also occur on the
fruit. In the centre of these spots pink spores
can develop. The surface of the fruit can
become stained. The spots can be sunken.
If young fruit are infected they drop off.
The cause: The disease is cause by a

fungus. It is a very common fungus.

high humidity and a temperature of about
25°C.
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.
What it looks like: Leaves are thickened

and twisted. They develop large blisters and
these can be pink coloured. On fruit there
can be red marks and the surface cracks.

cool wet weather.
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:
255
Disease: Peach rust
Scientific name: Transchelia discolor
[Synonyms: Tranzschelia pruni-spinosae (Pers.) Dietel
and Puccinia pruni-spinosae]

the leaves. They are pale yellow at first and
become brown. Under the leaf there is a
mass of powdery brown spores. Large areas
of the leaf may be killed. Spots can develop
on twigs and fruit.

fungus.

worse in warm wet weather.
How the disease spreads: The fungus lives on twigs and old leaves. It spreads
with wind and rain.
The damage: The disease causes leaves to fall off.

It is not important in Papua New Guinea because peaches are rarely grown.
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
256
Disease: Water blister of pineapple
(Also called Base rot of pineapple)
Scientific name: Ceratocystis paradoxa (Dade) C.Moreau

[Synonym: Ceratostomella paradoxa Dade]
What it looks like: Yellowish white leaf

spots develop on the leaves. Suckers can
develop a base rot. Fruit can rot. The
diseased parts are soft and watery and have
a smell.

fungus.

worse at temperatures of 15°-21°C. It also
gets worse with moisture and shade. It
normally gets started where the plant is
damaged.
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.
The damage: Fruit rot. Plants can die.
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:
257
Disease: Leaf spot silver beet
(Also affects beetroot.)
Scientific name: Cercospora beticola Sacc.
What it looks like: Small brown spots with

a red edge develop on leaves. These get
larger (up to 4 mm wide) and this develops
an ashy grey centre. The centres often drop
out.

fungus.

during wet windy weather.
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.
The damage: It mostly occurs on older leaves.
Other plants that get the disease: It can also get on spinach and some weeds.

1. It can be controlled with fungicides eg mancozeb or zineb.
References:
CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi No 721, 1982 and Distribution Map 96
258
Disease: Eye spot strawberry
(Also called leaf spot and white spot)
Scientific name: Mycosphaerella fragariae (Tul. & C.Tul.) Lindau

Asexual: Ramularia brunnei Peck.
[Synonym: Ramularia tulasnei Sacc.]
What it looks like: Small red to purple

spots develop on leaves. The centres of
these dry out and small black fruiting bodies
of the fungus can appear in the centre of
older spots. Leaves may dry out and fall off.
Occasionally fruit may develop sunken
brown spots.

fungus.

worse in wet cool weather. It gets worse in
wet soils and shaded areas.
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.
References:
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.
What it looks like: Small purple irregular

spots develop on the leaves. The centres
become brown. Small shiny raised fruiting
bodies can be seen on the top surface of the
leaf. Leaves can become dry.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: It gets worse in wet

weather. It also gets worse when plants are
in shade. It gets worse in wet soils.
Temperatures about 20° to 25°C favour the
fungus.
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.
The damage: Mostly older strawberry leaves are attacked.
Other plants that get the disease: The disease only occurs on strawberry.
Control:
2. Do not plant in wet or shady areas.
4. There are varieties of strawberry that do not get the disease.
References:
260
Disease: Pink disease
Scientific name: Phanerochaete salmonicolor (Berk. & Broome) Julich
[Synonym: Corticium salmonicolor Berk & Broome]
What it looks like: Leaves wilt turn brown

and die. Gum comes out from the twigs. It
has pink fungal threads that turn yellow.
The fruiting bodies occur as red lumps on
the lower side of the dead branch and as a
pink crust in the crotches.

fungus.
The conditions it likes: The spread of

disease is favoured by high humidity, shade
and rainfall. The optimum temperature for
spores (basidiospores) to germinate is 18° -
32°C.
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:
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.
Diseases called anthracnose are common in a wide range of crops.

Where the sexual stage of the fungal life cycle is known, the fungi belong to the
genus Glomerella of the Ascomycetes or sac fungi class. All species of Glomerella
have the same type of imperfect stage in their life cycle. This is called
Gloeosporium or Colletotrichum. This division is artificial and both groups should
be regarded as the same. The basis for the division was on conidial structures that
changed with relative humidity. The fungus that causes red rots on sugarcane and
coastal pitpit is probably a different fungus, Glomerella tucumanensis.
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
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.
Especially for fruits in storage, it is important to keep the temperature low

(10°C) and keep good air circulation around the fruit. The fruit being stored
should also be as dry as possible.
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.
See DPI Plant pathology note 15: Harvest 7(4) p 180

264
Damping-off of seedlings and collar rots
Several different fungi are involved.
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.
It causes wilt and collar rot of peanut;

collar rot of Jerusalem artichoke, lettuce, & common bean;
red rot of the leaf sheath of sugarcane and pitpit;
collar rot and wilt of European potatoes.
On non-food plants it causes collar rot of tea, caladium, crotalaria, carnation,

Eleusine indica, Eucharis sp., lucerne, phlox, African violet and vanilla cuttings. It
probably also damages beet, cabbage family plants, citrus, cucumber, figs, tomato,
bananas and plants in the capsicum family.
The control is by disinfecting any vegetative planting material to reduce the

chance of transferring the disease, as well as removing or burying crop residues.
Some host plants have resistance between different varieties but the effect of the
growing environment and the age of the plant is often sufficiently great to make
the other factors less helpful.
Plants attacked:
Athelia rolfsii: capsicum, giant taro, artichoke, lettuce, naranjilla, pawpaw,
peanut, pomelo, potato, rice, sugarcane, sunflower, sweet potato, tomato.
Scientific names: Athelia rolfsii (Curzi) Tu & Kimbrough

[Synonym: Corticium rolfsii (Sacc.) Curzi
and Pellicularia rolfsii (Curzi) West.]
See DPI Plant pathology note 3: Harvest

265
2. Botryodiplodia theobromae
The fungus called Botrydiplodia theobromae has had at least 17 different

scientific names and this has created some confusion. It is a fungus that affects
over 500 different species of plants. It is mainly a fungus that attacks plants that
are already weakened. After a plant has been wounded it can attack and is also a
common fungus associated with rots in storage.
The fungus can be spread about in the wind and by water but also is carried
on seeds and in the soil. Insects can also spread the fungus. The fungal conidia
can live on seeds for 4 months.
For plants in storage a temperature below 10°C is normally sufficient to

reduce the damage from this storage rot fungus.
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.
Pythium arrhenomanes Chinese taro.

Pythium butleri Citrus, cucumber, tomato, common bean, eggplant, potato, corn.
Also known to damage capsicum, pawpaw, watermelon, and ginger
Pythium deliens Cucumber
Pythium irregulare Watermelon
Pythium splendens Cucumber, banana (Also known to rot taro corms)
Pythium vexans Pineapple, coconut, banana and cacao
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.
The diseases include:

Damping off of watermelon, Root rot of Chinese taro and taro, root rot of bananas,
collar rot of corn, damping off of cucumber, root rot of durian, collar rot and stem
rot of eggplant, wilt of outside pineapple leaves, collar rot of tomato and root rot of
tree tomato.
266
4. Rhizoctonia sp. 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
These tend to be worse in seedbeds and where there is a high level of

organic matter. They are also more severe in warmer conditions. They are often
associated with Fusarium spp. fungi. They are not necessarily associated with
over-watering. This fungus can cause root rots and collar rots but also causes leaf
blights and large pale dead areas on the leaves of many plants.
Scientific names:
Sexual: Thanatephorus cucumeris (Frank) Donk
[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.
This fungus occurs commonly on plant remains during their decomposition.

The spores called conidia are spread by insects, wind and rain. It can attack the
young growing parts of plants and cause soft wet rots. On some beans such as
winged bean and cowpea it can get on the flowers stopping beans being produced.
On amaranth it can cause a wet rot of young seedlings especially in nurseries. It
also attacks the flowers and fruits of pumpkin family plants as well as pawpaw,
okra and capsicum. With each of these the attacks on the flowers stops the fruit
production.
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.
The most important control for this disease is to establish growing

conditions for strong healthy growth of the plants. This includes good levels of
soil fertility and not having excess nitrogen. Plants need to be well spaced so that
the wind can allow leaves and flowers to dry and avoid wet conditions suitable for
the fungus to get started. With a number of crops there are varieties that are less
likely to be damaged by the disease.
268
Downy mildews
There is a group of fungi called downy mildews. They cause similar symptoms on
crops. These include patches or spots on the upper surface of the leaves. On the
under side of the leaves under the spots there is a furry or downy growth of fungi.
These look downy because the fungal threads have branched ends with spores.
These spores can be blown by the wind or spread by water. The spores must land
on moist leaves to be able to grow. They also need high humidity to be able to
continue to grow. When dry conditions come these fungi may die out. They can
affect a number of different vegetables and be produced by different fungi.
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.
Plants with powdery mildews recorded include:

Aibika, bitter cucumber, bottle gourd, cowpea, cucumber, grape, green gram bean,
melon, pawpaw, pumpkin, squash, marrow, watermelon, winged bean, yard-long
bean
270
Sooty moulds
These fungi grow on the secretion left behind by small sap sucking insects.
The fungi are not actually attached to the plant surface. This can easily be shown
by wetting your finger and rubbing the black fungus off the leaf. The leaf
underneath is usually still green and healthy although the sooty mould covering
may have been stopping the sunlight and therefore preventing the leaf from
working properly. So to control the fungus it is necessary to control the insect.
many of these insects are looked after by ants and sometimes to stop the insect it is
necessary to kill the ants that look after the insect. Once the ants and insect are
gone the sooty mould normally soon washes of in the rain.
These sooty moulds can be seen very commonly on the leaves of almost all
small trees and shrubs both cultivated and wild.
Sooty mould fungi

Asterina sp.
Borinquenia sp.
Capnodium sp.
Capnodium thuemenii
Chaetothyrium boedijnii
Chaetothyrium sp.
Epicoccum sp.
Lembosia terminaliae
Meliola citricola
Meliola erythrinae
Meliola erythrinae var psophocarpi
Meliola juttingii
Meliola mangiferae
Meliola sp.
Microxyphium sp.
271
Root knot nematodes
These very small (invisible to the eye) worm-like nematodes are in almost
all soils and build up in large numbers when crops like food plants are grown. In
coastal regions they can stop crops growing in old garden sites. They attack the
roots of the plants and as the plant tries to grow new cells to replace the damaged
ones the roots become twisted and knotted. This means that the roots cannot
function normally and and there is reduced uptake of water and plant nutrients.
Plants therefore become wilted and stunted. Damage caused by nematodes can
also allow other root rots to get started in plants.
Amaranth, banana, bean-common, bitter cucumber, broccoli, cabbage, capsicum,

carrot, cauliflower, chilli, cucumber, eggplant, ginger, grapes, lablab bean, lesser
yam, lettuce, lima bean, melon, mung bean, okra, parsley, parsnip, passionfruit,
pawpaw, pea, potato, rice, rice bean, silver beet, soya bean, sunflower, taro,
tomato, tree tomato, winged bean and many other plants.
See Plant pathology note no 5: Harvest 6(3) p 154.
Other nematodes
Other nematodes also do damage. Some of these include:
Nematode Scientific name

Burrowing nematode Radopholus similis
Citrus nematode Tylenchulus semipenetrans
and others such as Helicotylenchus multicinctus
and Hirschmanniella miticausa
and Pratylenchus sp.
and Rotylenchus sp.
272
Cercospora leaf spots
Cercospora leaf spots are caused by one of the very common tropical fungi.
They cause leaf spots on many different plants. At present scientists have not
finished studying these fungi and so the naming is incomplete and unsatisfactory.
Many of those called Cercospora have recently been given slightly different names
such as Pseudocercospora and Cercosporina and Cercosporidium as scientists try
and recognise the differences that exist between this large group. Each of these
names is from the asexual stage of the life cycle and when the sexual stage is found
it is often possible to more correctly name the fungus. Often the sexual stages are
called Mycosphaerella, but sometimes the perfect state is Sphaerulina, or
Mycovellosiella.
Most of these fungi cause round brown spots on leaves and often the spot is
surrounded with a yellow ring as a poison from the fungus kills off the leaf ahead
of where the fungal spot is growing.
Fungus Food plant

Cercospora beticola Saccardo 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
Perfect state is:
Sphaerulina oryzina Hara
Cercospora physalidis Cape gooseberry
Cercospora sorghi Sorghum, corn
Cercospora taccae Polynesian arrowroot
Cercospora vexans Strawberry
Now Cercosporina vexans (Massal)
Moesz
Cercosporella sp.
Mycosphaerella arachidis Deighton On peanuts

Asexual: Cercospora arachidicola Hori
Mycosphaerella berkeleyi Jenkins On peanuts

Asexual: Cercosporidium personatum (Berk & Curtis) Deighton
(Syn. Cercospora personata (Berk & Curtis) Ell & Ev.)
Mycosphaerella brassicicola On cabbage family

Asexual: Cercospora brassicicola Henn.
Mycosphaerella cruenta Latham On cowpeas

Asex. Pseudocercospora cruenta (Sacc.)Deighton
[Syn. Cercospora cruenta Sacc.]
Mycosphaerella fijiensis Morelet var. difformis On banana

Asex. Paracercospora fijiensis (Morelet)
[Syn.Cercospora fijiensis Mor.
273
and Pseudocercospora fijiensis (Mor.)Deight.]
Mycosphaerella henningsii Sivan On cassava

Asexual: Cercosporidium henningsii (Allescher) Deighton
[Syn. Cercospora henningsii Allesch]
Mycosphaerella musicola Leach On banana

Asexual: Cercospora musae Zimm.
Mycosphaerella papuana On banana

Asexual: Cercospora dioscoreae-pyrifoliae
Mycovellosiella cajani (P.Henn.) Rangel ex Trotter On pigeon pea

Asexual: Cercospora cajani P.Henn.
Mycovellosiella koepkei (Kruger) Deighton On sugarcane; pitpit

[Syn. Cercospora koepkei Kruger]
Pseudocercospora artocarpi (H & P Sydow) Deighton On breadfruit

[Syn. Cercospora artocarpi]
Pseudocercospora fuligena (Roldan) Deighton On tomato

[Syn. Cercospora fuligena Roldan]
Pseudocercospora protensa (Sydow) Deighton On elephant foot yam

[Syn. Cercospora protensa Sydow]
Pseudocercospora psophocarpi (Yen) Deighton On winged bean

[Syn. Cercospora psophocarpi Yen]
Pseudocercospora timorensis (Cooke) Deighton On sweet potato

[Syn. Cercospora timorensis Cooke]
Pseudocercospora ubicola (W.Y.Yen) Deighton On yam

[Syn. Cercospora ubicola Yen]
Pseudocercospora ubi (Racib.) Deighton On potato yam, yam

[Syn Cercospora ubi Racib]
274
Algal leaf spots Cephaleuros virescens
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.
Organisms as secondary diseases

These don't normally attack healthy plants but can occur on poorly growing
plants and help decay of plants already attacked by some other diseases.
Apiospora montagnei IMI descriptions 1052.

Memnoniella echinate IMI descriptions 1055
Nigrospora sphaerica IMI descriptions 1056
Pithomyces sacchari IMI descriptions 1059
Pithomyces maydicus IMI descriptions 1058
275
Heart rot Phellinus noxius
This disease caused by a fungus can affect a number of trees. Spores can blow in
the wind.
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.
(Fungi unless marked)
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 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
betlicola
Xanthomonas campestris pv citri Bacterium
campestris
glycines
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
Disease Scientific name cause Page
Aibika leaf spot Myrothecium roridum 36

Algal spot, citrus Cephaleuros virescens 97
Algal leaf spot Cephaleuros virescens 274
Alomae/Bobone, taro 214
Angular leaf spot, bean Phaeoisariopsis griseola 60
Anthracnose 261
Anthracnose, bean Colletotrichum lindemuthianum 61
Anthracnose, bananas Colletotrichum musae 42
Anthracnose, betel nut Colletotrichum gloeosporoides 82
Anthracnose, capsicum Colletotrichum capsici 225
Anthracnose, cassava Glomerella cingulata 95
Anthracnose, mango Glomerella cingulata 253
Anthracnose, yams Glomerella cingulata 237
Armillaria corm rot, banana Armillaria mellea 43
Ascochyta leaf spot, bean Ascochyta dolichi 62
Aspergillus crown rot, peanuts Aspergillus niger 132
Avocado root rot Phytophthora cinnamomi 42
Bacterial canker, citrus Xanthomonas campestris 98
Bacterial corm rot, banana Erwinia chrysanthemi 44
Bacterial leaf spot, taro Xanthomonas campestris 215
Bacterial pustule, soya bean Xanthomonas campestris 63
Bacterial rot, marita Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora 126
Bacterial soft rot 262
Bacterial soft rot, cabbage Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora 87
Bacterial wilt 263
Bacterial wilt, peanuts Pseudomonas solanacearum 139
Bacterial wilt, potatoes Pseudomonas solanacearum 148
Bacterial wilt, tomatoes Pseudomonas solanacearum 226
Banana black cross Phyllachora musicola 45
Banana rust Uromyces musae 46
Basal stem rot, coconuts Ganoderma lucidum 105
Bean rust Uromyces appendiculatus 64
Black leaf mould, betel nut Acroconidiellina arecae
Black leaf mould, karuka Lembosia pandani 127
Black leaf spot, cabbage Alternaria brassicae 91
Black leaf streak, banana Mycosphaerella fijiensis var. difformis 47
Black rot, cabbage Xanthomonas campestris 89
Black rot, sweet potato Ceratocystis fimbriata 209
Black spot, banana Deightoniella torulosa 49
Blight leaf spot, capsicum Colletotrichum capsici 225
Blossom blight 261
Blue mould, citrus Penicillium italicum 103
Brown leaf mould, tomato Pseudocercospora fuligena 227
Brown leaf spot, cassava Mycosphaerella henningsii 94
Brown leaf spot, taro Cladosporium colocasiae 216
Brown mould, tomato Fulvia fulvum 228
Brown root rot, coconut Phellinus noxius 98
Brown sheath rot, rice Gaeumannomyces graminis 106
296
Brown spot, passionfruit Alternaria passiflorae 129
Brown spot, rice Cochliobolus miyabeanus 167
Brown spot, sugarcane Cercospora longipes 179
Brown stripe, sugarcane Bipolaris stenospila 182
Buckeye rot, tomato Phytophthora nicotianae var. nicotianae 229
Bud rot, coconut Phytophthora palmivora 107
Burrowing nematode Radopholus similis 50
Cercospora leaf spot, beans Cercospora canescens 65
Charcoal rot, sweet potato Macrophomina sp. and others 203
Chloridium leaf speckle, banana Ramichloridium musae 54
Chlorotic spot virus, passionfruit Chlorotic spot virus 130
Citrus nematode Tylenchus semipenetrans 101
Cladosporium leaf spot, banana Cladosporium musae 55
Collar rot 252
Collar rot, beans Thanatephorus cucumeris 66
Collar rot, lettuce Athelia rolfsii 251
Collar rot, peanut Athelia rolfsii & Aspergillus niger 140
Collar rot, tomato Athelia rolfsii 264
Collar rot, winged bean Macrophomina phaseolina 67
Fusarium spp.
Rhizoctonia solani
Common mosaic, beans Bean common mosaic virus 68
Common rust, corn Puccinia sorghi 112
Common scab, potato Streptomyces scabies 149
Cordana leaf spot, banana Cordana musae 51
Corn blister smut Ustilago zeae 113
Corn leaf blight Setosphaerica turcica 119
Corticium leaf spot, yam 264
Damping off 264
Diamond leaf spot, banana Cordana musae 51
Downy mildews 268
Downy mildew, cabbage Peronospora parasitica 90
Downy mildew, corn Peronosclerospora sacchari 115
Downy mildew, grapes Plasmopara viticola 249
Downy mildew, pumpkins Pseudoperonospora cubensis 160
Downy mildew, sugarcane Peronosclerospora sacchari 181
Drechslera leaf spot, coconut Bipolaris incurvata 108
Dry rot & Fusarium wilt, potato Fusarium oxysporium 150
Eyespot, strawberry Mycosphaerella fragariae 258
Eyespot, sugarcane Bipolaris sacchari 182
False rust of kudzu Synchytrium minutum 69
False rust, rice bean Synchytrium phaseoli 69
False rust, winged bean Synchytrium psophocarpi 70
False smut, rice Ustilaginoidea virens 168
Fiji disease, sugarcane Sugarcane Fiji disease virus 183
Floury white mould, bean Ramularia phaseoli 71
Flower blight, mango Glomerella cingulata 253
Flower blight, winged bean Choanephora cucurbitarum 72
Foot rot, rice Gibberella fujikuroi 169
Freckle of bananas Guignardia musae 52
Fruit spot, tomato Didymella lycopersici 230
Fusarium wilt, sweet potato Fusarium oxysporium 204
297
Fusarium wilt, tomato Fusarium oxysporium f.sp. lycopersici
Fusarium equiseti
Glume blotch, rice Phaeoseptoria oryzae 170
Green mould, citrus Penicillium digitatum 101
Grey leaf spot, cabbage Alternaria brassicae 91
Grey leaf spot, coconut Pestaliopsis palmarum 109
Grey leaf spot, corn Cercospora sorghi 117
Grey mould/pod rot, beans Botryotinia fuckeliana 73
Head smut, corn & sorghum Sphacelotheca reiliana 119
Heart rot, galip Phellinus noxius 248
Heart rot Phellinus noxius 248
Infectious chlorosis, banana Cucumber mosaic virus 53
Late blight, potato Phytophthora infestans 151
Leaf blight, beans Thanatephorus cucumeris 66
Leaf blight, corn Cochliobolus heterostrophus 116
Leaf blight, leek Alternaria porri 122
Leaf blight, sweet potato Phomopsis ipomeae-batatas 206
Leaf blight, taro Thanatephorus cucumeris 217
Leaf roll, potato Potato leaf roll virus 152
Leaf scorch, strawberry Diplocarpon earlianum 259
Leaf scorch, sugarcane Stagonospora sacchari 184
Leaf smut, rice Entyloma oryzae 171
Leaf speckle, bananas Ramichloridium musae 54
Leaf spot, bananas Cladosporium musae 55
Leaf spot, 5 leaflet yam
Leaf spot, breadfruit Pseudocercospora artocarpi 84
Leaf spot, cape gooseberry Cercospora physalidis
Leaf spot, carrot Alternaria dauci 245
Leaf spot, corn Mycosphaerella holci 118
Leaf spot, cowpeas Mycosphaerella cruenta 65
Leaf spot elephant foot yam Pseudocercospora protensa
Leaf spot, endive & chickory Alternaria cichorii
Leaf spot, Giant taro Mycosphaerella alocasiae
Leaf spot, highland pitpit Bipolaris panici-miliacei 199
Leaf spot, lemon Ascochyta citri
Leaf spot, lesser yam Cylindrosporium dioscoreae 238
and Guignardia dioscoreae 238
Leaf spot, lettuce Septoria lactucae 252
Leaf spot, pawpaw Mycosphaerella caricae 133
Leaf spot, peas Mycosphaerella pinodes 74
Leaf spot, pigeon pea Mycovellosiella cajani 75
Leaf spot, Polynesian arrowroot Cercospora taccae
Leaf spot, pumpkin Cercospora citrullina 161
Leaf spot, rhubarb Ascochyta rhei
Leaf spot, rice Trichoconiella padwickii 172
Leaf spot, silver beet Cercospora beticola 257
Leaf spot, snake gourd Colletotrichum orbiculare 162
Leaf spot, strawberry Cercospora vexans
Leaf spot, sugarcane Leptosphaeria sacchari 185
Leaf spot, sweet potato Pseudocercospora timorensis 205
Leaf spot, taro Neojohnstonia colocasiae 218
Leaf spot, tomato Septoria lycopersici etc 231
298
Leaf spot winged bean Pseudocercopsora psophocarpi 81
Leaf tip wither, shallot Botryotinia fuckeliana 123
Malayan leaf spot, banana Haplobasidion musae 56
Marginal chlorosis, peanut Peanut marginal chlorosis virus 142
Melanose, citrus Diaporthe medusaea 102
Mosaic, banana Cucumber mosaic virus 53
Mosaic, pawpaw 134
Mosaic, taro Dasheen mosaic virus 219
Mosaic, tomatoes Tobacco mosaic virus 232
Mosaic, watermelon Probably watermelon mosaic virus 163
Mosaic, yard-long bean Cowpea mosaic virus 76
Mottle, aibika 37
Narrow brown leaf spot, rice Cercospora oryzae 173
Orange rust, sugarcane Puccinia kuehnii 186
Pawpaw mosaic 134
Peach leaf curl Taphrina deformans 254
Peach rust Tranzschelia discolor 255
Peanut leaf spot Mycosphaerella arachidis 141
Peanut marginal chlorosis 142
Peanut mild mottle Cowpea mild mottle virus 143
Peanut rust Puccinia arachidis 144
Pepper spot & scorch, peanuts Leptosphaerulina trifolii 145
Phytophthora blight, passionfruit Phytophthora nicotianae var. nicotianae 131
Phytophthora palmivora 276
Pineapple disease sugarcane Ceratocystis paradoxa 187
Pink disease Phanerochaete salmonicolor 260
Pokkah Boeng sugarcane Gibberella fujikuroi 188
Potato virus x Potato virus x 153
Potato virus y Potato virus y 154
Powdery mildews 269
Powdery mildew, aibika Oidium sp. 38
Powdery mildew, grapes Uncinula necator 250
Powdery mildew, pawpaw Oidium sp. 135
Powdery mildew, pumpkins Oidium sp. 164
Powdery mildew, winged bean Erysiphe cichoracearum 77
Powdery mildew, yard-long bean Sphaerotheca fuliginea 78
Powdery scab, potato Spongospora subterranea 155
Ramu scorch, sugarcane 189
Ramu stunt, sugarcane Viroid 190
Red rot, sugarcane Glomerella tucumanensis 191
Red stripe, sugarcane Pseudomonas rubrilineans 192
Rice blast Pyricularia oryzae 174
Rind disease, sugarcane Phaeocytostroma sacchari 193
Ring spot, cabbage Mycosphaerella brassicicola 92
Root knot nematodes Meloidogyne spp. 271
Root rot aibika Phytophthora nicotianae 39
Root rot, Chinese taro Phytophthora spp. & Pythium spp. 220
Root rot, pawpaw Phytophthora palmivora 136
Rust of beans See bean rust
Rust, breadfruit Uredo artocarpi 85
Rust, broad bean Uromyces viciae-fabae 79
299
Rust, fig trees Cerotelium fici 247
Rust, Finschia nuts Puccinia finschiae
Rust, highland pitpit Uredo palmifoliae 200
Rust of corn Puccinia sorghi 112
Rust Lesser yam 239
Rust, soya bean Phakopsora pachyrhizi 80
Rust, sugarcane Puccinia kuehnii 186
Scab of citrus Sphaceloma fawcettii 103
Scab of sweet potato Elsinoe batatas 208
Scorch, strawberry Diplocarpon earlianum 259
Septoria spot, celery Septoria apiicola 246
Sheath blight, rice Thanatephorus sasakii 175
Shot hole, taro Phyllosticta colocasiae 221
Shothole, pawpaw Corynespora cassiicola 137
Sigatoka, banana Mycosphaerella musicola 48
Silvering of yam leaves Botryodiplodia theobromae 241
Smudge of onions Colletotrichum circinans 124
Smut, corn & sorghum Sphacelotheca reiliana 119
Sooty moulds Many fungal species 270
Southern leaf blight, corn Bipolaris maydis 116
Southern rust, corn Puccinia polysora 120
Stem bleeding, coconut Ceratocystis paradoxa 110
Stem rot, aibika Sarcopodium vanillae
Stem rot, peanut Athelia rolfsii 146
Stem rot, rice Magnaporthe salvinii 176
Sugarcane mosaic Sugarcane mosaic virus 194
Sweet potato black rot Ceratocystis fimbriata 209
Sweet potato soft rot Rhizopus stolonifer 210
Tar spot, highland pitpit Phyllachora minutissima 201
Tar spot, sugarcane Phyllachora sacchari 195
Target spot, potato Alternaria solani 156
Target spot, tomato Alternaria solani 233
Taro blight Phytophthora colocasiae 222
Tomato spotted wilt Tomato spotted wilt virus 234
Tropical rust, corn Puccinia polysora 120
Veneer blotch, sugarcane Deightoniella papuana 196
Verticillium wilt, potato Verticillium albo-atrum 157
Water blister, pineapple Ceratocystis paradoxa 256
White leaf streak, rice Mycovellosiella oryzae 177
Winged bean leaf spot Pseudocercospora psophocarpi 81
Witches' broom, sweet potato Mycoplasma-like organism 211
Wither tip, cassava Colletotrichum capsici 95
Yam leaf moulds Dactylaria dioscoreae 240
and Pseudocercospora ubicola
and Pseudocercospora ubi
and Xanthomonas sp.
Yam leaf spots Glomerella cingulata 241
and Leptosphaeria coniothyrium
and Phyllosticta dioscoreae
Yam rust Uredo dioscoreae-sativae 239
300
and Goplana australis
and Goplana dioscoreae
Yellow leaf mould kudzu Mycovellosiella puerariae 71
Yellow spot, sugarcane Mycovellosiella koepkei 197
Diseases not described above:
Leaf spot on Aila (Inocarpus fagifer) Leaf spot on Amaranth
Leaf spot on Bridelia tomentosa

Leaf spot on Betel nut
Leaf spot on Candle nut (Aleurites moluccana)

Leafspot on Castanopsis acuminatissima
301
Leafspot on Elephant foot yam Leafspot on Governor’s plum
Leaf spot on ginger Leaf spot on Ipomoea tuba
Leaf spot on kangkong False rust on Kudzu (Pueraria lobata)
Leaf spot on Morinda citrifolia Leaf spot on Palpal (Erythrina variegata)

302
Leaf spot on sago Leaf spot on Talis (Terminalia impediens)
Leaf spot on Ton (Pometia pinnata) Tu-lip (Gnetum gnemon) Exobasidium
Leaf spot on Coastal almond

Virus in Valanguar (Polyscias verticillata)
(Terminalia catappa)
Leaf spot Watercress

Diseases of Food Plants in Papu - Bruce R. French

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Diseases of Food Plants in Papu - Bruce R. French

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1

Papua New Guinea

This book is dedicated to

The financial assistance of CARE Australia in supporting me while I finalised

My sincere thanks to Derek Tomlinson for checking the document in 1993

I regret that many diseases do not have photos available

Compiled 1994, Published as a pdf book 2006

Phone (03) 64321080

Section Topic Page

1. Wrong growing conditions. If a plant is in a place that is too cold or too

The cause of disease

Village people have normally never had a chance to look down a

How to find the disease in this book?

Bad damage Moderate damage Slight damage

Nematode damage is controlled by crop rotation, using resistant varieties of

The diagram shows root knot damage to winged bean roots.

Aila nut (Inocarpus fagifer)

Bambara groundnut (Voandzeia subterranea)

Beetroot (See silver beet)

Bunching onion (A. fistulosum)

Cantaloupe (See Melon)

Ceylon spinach (Basella)

Chinese cherry (See Lovi-lovi)

Cluster bean (Guar bean)

Cowpeas (and snake bean)

Custard apple (See Sweetsop)

Daka (Betel pepper)

Elephant foot yam

Ficus wassa Kumu musong

Five leaflet yam

Galip (Canarium almond)

Green gram bean

Indian coral tree

Maize (See Corn)

Pitpits - see Coastal pitpit and Highland pitpit.

Rockmelon (See Melon)

Silver beet and beetroot

Snake bean (See Yard-long bean)

Squash and marrow

Yard-long bean (Snake bean)

What it looks like: Dead spots occur on

The cause: The disease is caused by a

The conditions it likes: It gets worse in

Other diseases that are similar:

What it looks like: A pattern of light green

The cause: The disease is possibly caused

The conditions it likes:

Other plants that get the disease:

What it looks like: A white powdery

The cause: The disease is caused by a

The conditions it likes: The fungus grows

Scientific name: Phytophthora nicotianae var. parasitica

What it looks like: The lower leaves start

The cause: This disease is caused by a

The conditions it likes: It occurs mostly in

The damage: Plants can die.

Other diseases which are a little similar:

What it looks like: The leaves turn yellow and

The cause: The disease is caused by a fungus.

The conditions it likes: The disease probably

Anthracnose fruit Fungus Colletotrichum musae 42

Scientific name: Colletotrichum musae (Berk Curt.) Arx

What it looks like: On ripening banana

The cause: The disease is caused by a