For open pollinated types, roguing of all off-types is done after the last cultivation, and for pure seed production isolation necessity depends on the wind velocity. Lecanidion atratum, Leveillula lanata, L. taurica, Macrophomina phaseoli, Macrophoma phaseoli, Ph. Ph. rhodina, Ph. Ph. cinnamomi, Ph. palmivora, Ph. parasitica, Pleospora herbarum, Pythium aphanidermatum, P. debaryanum, P. gracile, P. intermedium, P. proliferum, P. ultimum, P. vexans, Rhabdospora ricini, Rhizoctonia solani, Schiffnerula ricini, Schizophyllum commune, Sclerotinia fuckeliana, S. minor, S. ricini, S. sclerotiorum, Scierotium rolfsii, sphaceloma ricini. Striga lutea parasitizes the plants.
Several insects are pests.
In Tanganyika damage by capsid and myrid bugs are a limiting factor causing immature fruit to drop. Most insects may be controlled by insecticides. Because some of the varieties are quite tall, wind storms are a potential hazard to a crop. The wealth of India. Devendra, C. and Raghavan, G.V. 1978.