Diseases of papaya

Abstract

This chapter reviews the distribution, importance and control of diseases of papaya (Carica papaya) together with characteristics, distribution and production of the fruit. Cultivated papaya is susceptible to a wide range of diseases, including bacterial canker (Erwinia species), papaya bunchy top (probably caused by a bacterium in the genus Rickettsia), alternaria fruit spot (Alternaria alternata), anthracnose (Glomerella cingulata), black rot (Mycosphaerella caricae) and Phytophthora fruit rots (Phytophthora palmivora). Disease can also be caused by nematodes (Rotylenchulus reniformis and Meloidogyne species), phytoplasmas (papaya dieback and yellow crinkle and mosaic) and viruses, such as papaya leaf curl virus, papaya leaf distortion mosaic virus and papaya ringspot virus.