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Carpellodyor Cat Face, papaya

(Plant Disease Pathogen)
Hosts Distribution Symptoms Biology Epidemiology Management Reference

Author

Wayne Nishijima, Extension Plant Pathologist

Department of Plant Pathology

CTAHR

University of Hawaii at Hilo

HOSTS

"Cat face" or carpellody is specific to papaya.

SYMPTOMS

The appearance of carpellodic fruits can range from those that resemble female fruits to those that are severely deformed with longitudinal ridges or seams. Carpellodic fruits are generally rounded rather than the more typical pyriform shape and are unmarketable.

BIOLOGY

Carpellody or "cat-face" fruits result when stamens develop abnormally into carpel-like fleshy structures.

Sex expression in hermaphroditic papaya trees is variable and is influenced by environmental factors. The development of carpellodic fruits is favored by low night temperatures in combination with high moisture and nitrogen levels.

EPIDEMIOLOGY

Carpellody is an inherited trait thus careful seed selection can reduce its occurrence.

MANAGEMENT

NON-CHEMICAL CONTROL

The "Solo" varieties, because of many years of inbreeding, have lower incidence of carpellody but it does occur occasionally under conditions described above.

REFERENCES

Arkle, T.D., and Nakasone, H.Y. 1984. Floral differentiation in the hermaphroditic papaya. HortScience 19:832-834.

Yee, W. et. al. 1970. Papayas in Hawaii. Univ. of Hawaii, Coop. Ext. Serv. Circular 436, 56 pp.

 

 

JANUARY 1993

 

3A-CARPE

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