Bele Phytophthora wilt

Phytophthora nicotianae; previously, Phytophthora nicotianae pv. parasitica.

The disease has been identified on bele in Fiji, and symptoms seen on bele in Solomon Islands, although these have not been verified. Phytophthora nicotianae is also present in American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, New Caledonia, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, and Wallis & Futuna, but not on bele in those countries (see Fact sheet nos. 154, 157 & 264).

Bele (aibika, island cabbage or sliperi kabis, Abelmoschus manihot). Note, this is the same water mould (or oomycete) that causes a similar disease on tomato (root and a firm dark fruit rot, see Fact Sheet no. 157), and also attacks capsicum, citrus, papaya, passionfruit (see Fact Sheet no. 154) and pineapple.

The disease is favoured by high soil temperatures, and soils saturated with water due to high rainfall or poor drainage. Waterlogged soils starve roots of oxygen that plants need for healthy growth, and the water allows the swimming spores of Phytophthora to spread, infect the roots and cause the bele to wilt (Photos 1&2).

Water moulds survive in the soil as thick-walled resting spores called 'chlamydospores'. When conditions are right, the chlamydospores germinate and produce spores called "sporangia". Yet another spore is produced inside the sporangia called 'zoospores' (Photo 3), and these are capable of swimming short distances in the water between soil particles (the thread-like processes coming from the zoospores in Photo 3 are for swimming). If the zoospores reach the fine feeder roots of susceptible plants they germinate and infect them. Infections also occur at the collar region, the part of the stem at soil level.

Once inside the plant, the water mould develops more sporangia and zoospores.

The root system rots, and the outer layers of the stem become soft and peel away exposing brown areas of rot beneath (Photo 4). Aboveground, the plants wilt, lose their leaves, and soon after collapse and die (Photo 5).

The water mould spreads in rain splash, surface water, and over long distances in soil on machinery and shoes.

The disease is caused by a species of Phytophthora; it is an oomycete or water mould, not a fungus. Although they look like fungi, Phytophthora species are related to algae. The water mould infects the roots, and stem of bele, especially at soil level, causing a collar rot. Depending on rainfall, the disease may spread quickly causing plants to wilt and die (Photos 1&2). In general, it is not a common disease and the extent of damage on bele is not high, although individual plants are killed by the root and collar attack.

Look for plants that wilt during the warmest parts of the day although the soil is still moist. At an early stage of the disease, look at the root system of wilting plants to see if the fine feeder roots are dead, and if there is any damage to the stem at soil level.

CULTURAL CONTROL
Cultural control is particularly important in the management of this disease:

• Rogueing: Remove wilted plants with as much soil around the roots as practical as soon as wilt symptoms are seen. Do not allow Phytophthora-infested soil to fall on adjacent plants. Place diseased plants and soil in a basket or bag and then burn them. 
• Crop rotation: Crop rotations of at least 4 years should be used, because of the long survival of spores in the soil. During intervals between crops of bele, plant root crops which are not hosts of the water mould.
• Soil drainage: Plant cuttings used for propagation on ridges or raised beds, surrounded by ditches, to prevent waterlogging.
• Planting material: Do not take cuttings for propagation from any plants in areas where the wilt occurs.

RESISTANT VARIETIES
None are known.

CHEMICAL CONTROL
Chemical control is not a method that can be used against this soil borne pathogen.