UOG Horizons: Knowledge for Life - Rain, heat, and disease: Why anthracnose thrives in the tropics - what to do about it

UOG Horizons: Knowledge for Life - Rain, heat, and disease: Why anthracnose thrives in the tropics - what to do about it

UOG Horizons: Knowledge for Life - Rain, heat, and disease: Why anthracnose thrives in the tropics - what to do about it


9/4/2026
Photo of the author
Bindu Poudel-Ward
Pepper
Anthracnose, a common fungal disease in Guam, causes dark, sunken spots on plant leaves and fruits, as seen on this boonie pepper. Photo courtesy of the University of Guam
Papaya
Anthracnose disease on papaya. Panupong, Adobe Stock

Imagine one morning going to pick the mangoes or papayas you were waiting to ripen, and instead you find big sunken spots on the fruit. Anthracnose is a devastating disease for more than 1,000 different species of plants worldwide. Here in Guam, it commonly affects mangoes, papayas, peppers, eggplants, beans, and guava, making them unappetizing and, often times, unmarketable. It can infect ornamental plants as well.

Read the full story at The Guam Daily Post