Papaya collar rot foot rot Phytophthora drainage mound planting papita waterlogging
How do I manage papaya (papita) collar rot and stem rot in waterlogged soil?
SSelvam K7mo ago · 314 views
4 Answers
🌾Farmer.in Krishi TeamExpert ✓7mo ago
Papaya is very sensitive to water stagnation, and collar or foot rot caused by Phytophthora and related fungi sets in fast when water sits around the stem base. The main defence is drainage and planting on raised mounds or ridges so water never collects at the collar, plus avoiding injury to the stem base during weeding. Do not let irrigation water touch the stem directly, use drip placed a little away from the collar, and keep the basin clean. A labelled fungicide drench at the collar can help in problem fields, but it works only alongside good drainage. For the right fungicide and drench schedule for your soil, confirm with your local KVK or horticulture department.
SSelvam K6mo ago
Planting on raised mounds was the single fix that stopped our losses near Coimbatore, especially in the patch where water used to stand after rain. We make a good mound and plant on top so the collar is always above the water line. Flat planting in heavy soil is asking for foot rot here.
MMurthy Gounder6mo ago
We moved the drip emitter a hand-span away from the stem so the collar stays dry, and that small change cut our rot a lot. Wetting the stem base directly every irrigation was keeping it constantly damp and the fungus loved it. Also we are careful not to nick the stem with the weeding tool, because any wound becomes an entry point.
RRamasamy P6mo ago
In our low-lying field we cut open drainage channels between the beds before the monsoon so the excess water has somewhere to go, and we never let the field stay flooded even for a day. A collar drench with the labelled fungicide that the KVK advised helped in the worst patch, but only after we fixed the drainage. Drench without drainage is money wasted.