UOG Horizons: Knowledge for Life - Spot the symptoms: Tips for diagnosing plant diseases in your garden

UOG Horizons: Knowledge for Life - Spot the symptoms: Tips for diagnosing plant diseases in your garden

UOG Horizons: Knowledge for Life - Spot the symptoms: Tips for diagnosing plant diseases in your garden


11/4/2025

 

Glenn F. Dulla
Glenn F. Dulla
Dragon Fruit Plant
DRAGON FRUIT PLANT: A dragon fruit stem with crankers - sunken, discolored areas caused by fungal infection. Localized crankers can be pruned out, while systemic crankers typicallt result in branch dieback or total plant death.
Funal Desiease
FUNGAL DISEASE: Anthracnose, a common fungal disease in Guam, causes dark, sunken spots on plant leaves and fruits, as seen on this boonie pepper. To reduce fungal disease, seek out disease-resistant varieties, practice crop rotation, and ensure good air circulation. 
Wilting
WILTING: Wilting leaves and stunted growth can be a signal of root disease, such as Fusarium wilt - a serious problem for crops like tomatoes and eggplants. Mild infections may be mitigated through soil drying, fungicide, or improved aeration, but severe root rot is usually irreversible.
Plumeria
PLUMERIA: A plumeria leaf showing symptoms of fungal infection. Leaves are often the first place where disease symptoms appear in plants. Common signs include spots like these, often irregularly shaped, which may indicate fungal or bacterial infection.

Guam is home to a diverse range of plant life, from lush tropical forests to home gardens filled with fruit trees and ornamental plants. However, just like anywhere else in the world, plants in Guam are susceptible to diseases that can weaken or even kill them. Identifying plant diseases early is key to managing and preventing widespread damage to crops, gardens and even natural ecosystems. This article will help beginners recognize common symptoms of plant diseases and understand what actions they can take to protect their plants.

Read the full story on The Guam Daily Post