- Widespread distribution. Southeast Asia, South America, Caribbean, Oceania. On papaya most commonly. An important bacterial disease.
- Leaves, stems and fruit are infected. Dark spreading smelling rots in the crown kill the growing point, or cankers develop in the trunks that cause the top of the stem to fall off.
- Spread is in wind and rain, and over long distances on seed. Survival occurs in stem cankers, not in the soil.
- Cultural control: certified seed, but if uncertain about quality of seed, treat in hot water at 50°C for 20 mins; tolerant varieties; collect trash and burn after harvest.
- Chemical control: copper.
