Latent Infection of Papaya Caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. M. B. Dickman, Graduate Student, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Hawaii, Honolulu 96822. A. M. Alvarez, Associate Plant Pathologist, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Hawaii, Honolulu 96822. Plant Dis. 67:748-750. Accepted for publication 5 January 1983. Copyright 1983 American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-67-748.

Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, the causal agent of anthracnose of papaya (Carica papaya), has not previously been known to cause latent infections in green papaya fruit. Evidence from field studies indicates that C. gloeosporioides can initially establish itself on attached immature fruits by direct cuticular penetration. Fruit were infected at early stages of maturity but the fungus remained quiescent until the fruit reached the climacteric phase. Symptoms were then expressed as anthracnose or chocolate spot lesions; thus, papaya anthracnose has a latent stage in its development.