What Is Wrong With My Biriba Fruit?

Are there any angular or circular green to gray spots with brown borders on leaves?

Do the leaves have any small circular or irregularly shaped dry spots that are gray to straw in color?

Are there any holes in the trunk or the branches, sawdust may be present around the holes?

Are there any entry holes in fruits, fruits may be rotting or dropping from the tree?

Do the leaves and stems have white, cottony clusters on them?

These symptoms indicate a fungal disease - Cercospora leaf spot. This fungal disease only occurs in very warm climates. Spots develop a “frog-eye” appearance with light centers and dark edges. Spray plants with copper as soon as symptoms appear to prevent further symptom development.

These symptoms indicate a fungal disease - Anthracnose. Keep plants dry when watering to prevent spread. Spray plants with copper when the first fruit develops if you have had problems in the past. Bordeaux mixture can also help to protect the plant from the disease.

Holes are made by trunk borer, Cratosomus bombina. Prune out all dying stems and branches. Once pruned, these branches should be burned or disposed of and not left in the field. If the tunnels in trunks are fairly straight, kill the borer larva by probing the tunnel with a flexible wire. Injecting parasitic nematodes into the holes can give some control.

Symptoms of fruit borer attack are mostly visible in later stages of infestation. Dig or plow around the tree immediately after harvest to expose the pupae to predatory birds, other natural enemies, and the sun. Encourage their natural enemies like lacewings, parasitic wasps, and spiders. Chemical control is possible at the flowering stage.

White, cottony clusters on leaves and stems are caused by mealybugs. These tiny insects are covered with a fluffy white coating. They feed by sucking plants sap. They produce the sticky substance honeydew which makes leaves sticky. You can control them by washing them off the plant with water spray. Insecticidal soap should be used with severe infestations.

Yellow leaves and stunted look are caused by whiteflies. These tiny, mothlike flies and their larvae feed by sucking plant juices. Whiteflies secrete honeydew, a sugary substance that makes leaves sticky to the touch. Control whiteflies by eliminating garden weeds and by introducing green lacewings in the garden. Spray infested plants with insecticidal soap every 3 days for 2 weeks.