Fungi Phomopsis sp. This summary deals specifically with the host, papaya. However, there are a large number of Phomopsis spp. This fungus occurs in Hawaii on papaya, but other Phomopsis spp. Its incidence is sporadic but damage can be extensive when it does occur.
Wet fruit rot occurs most frequently as a stem-end rot but any part of the fruit can be affected.
It is not known to infect other parts of the papaya plant except senescing petioles. The infected area is slightly depressed, soft and translucent. The fungus is rapid growing causing lesions to expand very quickly with the infected area extending to the seed cavity. The cuticle over the infected area remains intact and develops a delicate, wrinkled pattern that is parallel to the leading edge of the lesion. Black, scattered pycnidia usually form in the infected area after about seven days.