- Worldwide distribution. Several types. On taro and Xanthosoma, but also on bean, capsicum, ginger, peanuts and pineapple, and weeds; causes a damping-off disease (see Fact Sheet No. 47). An important disease.
- A water mould, an oomycete, not a fungus. Worse in wet soils.
- Roots infected; leaves wilt, become stunted, with only one or two leaves remaining. Corm yields are low; post-harvest rots occur.
- Cultural control: clean 'tops' of roots and soil; avoid areas that flood, or where water remains for several days; plant on raised beds with surrounding ditches; grow e.g., Mucania or Pueraria before taro to build organic matter content of the soil; add lime (20g/m2) to increase calcium; >3-year crop rotation; collect debris and burn after harvest.
- Chemical control: none recommended.
