Warm and moist environments favour the occurrence of this disease.
The fungus spores can be transmitted through the air, splashed by rain, or through contact with infected plant parts.
Damage Symptoms:
On the leaves, round to irregular dark brown to black spots with reddish margins occur, leading to leaf blight and premature leaf drop.
Infected stems may develop dark spots, resulting in stem cankers, which lead to dieback and subsequent weakening of the plant.
Infected Papaya plant fruits develop dark, sunken lesions with watery rotting, leading to fruit spoilage. The fruits develop black spots and rot, making them unmarketable.
Preventive Measures:
Avoid overhead irrigation (such as sprinkler irrigation) and provide proper spacing between Papaya plants to improve air movement and reduce humidity around the plant.
Infected papaya plant parts should be removed from the field.
Control Measures:
Spray copper oxychloride or azoxystrobin at 0.1-0.2 ml/l.
