Septoria Leaf Spot, a Potential Biological Control for Banana Poka Vine in Forests of Hawaii. EDUARDO E. TRUJILLO, Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Hawaii, 3190 Maile Way, Honolulu 96822. DAVID J. NORMAN, Assistant Researcher, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Hawaii, 3190 Maile Way, Honolulu 96822; and ELOISE M. KILLGORE, Plant Pathologist, Plant Pathology Quarantine Facility, Biological Control Section, Hawaii Department of Agriculture, Honolulu 96814. Plant Dis. 78:883-885. Accepted for publication 24 May 1994. Copyright 1994 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-78-0883.

Pathogenicity studies in Hawaii have confirmed Seploria passiflorae as an aggressive pathogen of banana poka (Passiflora tripartita var. tripartita). Initial symptoms on inoculated leaves are chlorotic spots that appear 14 days after inoculation and become distinct circular lesions with yellow halos by 20 days. The spots develop necrotic centers 3 mm in diameter 20-24 days after inoculation, and diseased leaves turn bright yellow and dehisce. Host range studies confirmed P. foetida, also a weed, as a susceptible host. The economic crops purple and yellow lilikoi and other species tested were immune. Since the Passifloraceae are not native to the Hawaiian islands, S. passiflorae is presumed to be an environmentally safe biocontrol agent for these weeds in Hawaii.