Plant guide:ðŋ Colocasia (Taro / Elephant Ear)
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Fungal
Taro Leaf Blight (Phytophthora colocasiae)
Commonly affects: Colocasia esculenta (Taro / Elephant Ear)
Large, water-soaked lesions with a distinct dark border develop rapidly on leaves, sometimes producing droplets of yellowish fluid, and can destroy foliage within days in severe outbreaks.
Potential Causes
- 1Phytophthora colocasiae, a serious fungal-like pathogen particularly significant in regions where taro is grown as a food crop, favoured by warm, wet, humid conditions
- 2Water splashing onto leaves spreading spores between plants
- 3Poor air circulation combined with prolonged leaf wetness accelerating disease spread
Solution Steps
- 1Remove and destroy infected leaves immediately, disposing of them away from other plants
- 2Improve air circulation and avoid overhead watering that leaves foliage wet for extended periods
- 3Apply a copper-based fungicide preventively in warm, wet conditions known to favour this disease
- 4Space plants adequately to reduce humidity buildup and leaf-to-leaf spore transmission
Prevention Tip
Taro leaf blight can destroy foliage within days under warm, wet conditions â acting immediately at the first water-soaked lesion is far more effective than waiting.
