Pacific Pests, Pathogens and Weeds

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Summary

• Worldwide distribution. In the sub-tropics and tropics. On ginger, taro, and many more. An important disease.
• Soft rots on roots and buds of rhizomes from resting spores in soil or from rots in planting pieces.
• Leaves yellow and collapse in patches. Spread occurs as spores in ground water or in rhizomes.
• Cultural control: seed only from monitored source: preferably farmers' own seed; small beds, isolated by deep drains, or plant on ridges, or on a slope; 4-year crop rotation; weed.
• Chemical control: Previously, carbendazim or benomyl as seed treatment, but both have been withdrawn from use on this crop in many countries because of human health concerns. Use captan or thiram, dipping seed pieces in these chemicals after cutting.