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Pathogenicity and Further Characterization of Calonectria crotalariae Causing Collar Rot of Papaya. W. T. Nishijima, Research Assistant, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Hawaii, Honolulu 96822; M. Aragaki, Plant Pathologist, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Hawaii, Honolulu 96822. Phytopathology 63:553-558. Accepted for publication 1 November 1972. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-63-553.

Papaya seedlings infected by Calonectria crotalariae are characterized by stunting, chlorosis or loss of foliage, and rotting of the basal stem as well as the crown roots. The taproot is uninfected in the early stages but as the seedlings die, various saprophytic organisms invade to destroy the root system. The papaya Calonectria causes collar and stem rot of three commercial lines of papaya and Carica cauliflora in glasshouse tests. It also causes collar and root rot as well as leaf spots of peanut, three species of Acacia, four species of Crotalaria, and seven species of Eucalyptus.