Rhizome and root rot of cardamom

Abstract

Rhizome and root rot of cardamom is a serious disease occurring in the Baining area of West New Britain. So far, it has not been found anywhere else in Papua New Guinea or in other cardamom grow­ing countries of the world. The disease is caused by a soil-inhabiting bacterium, Erwinia chrysanthemi. Strains of this bacterium also cause diseases in banana, and Irish potato in Papua New Guinea and
the organism is also occasionally isolated from rotting sweet potato tubers.