Ceratocystis paradoxa

March 2007. A fungus identified as Ceracystis paradoxa was isolated from suckers of pineapples in Guyana used as planting materials (over 1000 suckers or so were infected and lost from two farms). It was asked how serious/virulent is the fungus on pineapples and what management practices should be imposed on organic pineapple cultivation to contain the problem.

The disease is called base rot. The same fungus causes a rot of ripe pineapple fruit called ‘water blister’. Ceratocystis paradoxa is an extremely destructive disease on pineapple. It can be managed in planting material by ‘curing’ the tops or slips before planting. Spread the planting material out in a single layer with the broken ends up and leave to dry for several days – they can be left like that for weeks if necessary provided they are kept in the shade. Alternatively, leave the tops and slips on the top of the parent plant to cure before collecting them for planting. Do not store planting material in heaps as this can lead to severe base rot, particularly in wet weather.