Food Plants International

Main corms are often fed to pigs.
Insects:
Aspidiotus destructor Signoret Diaspididae (HEM) Coconut scale
Chrysomphalus dictyospermi (Morgan) Diaspididae (HEM) Armoured scale
Hemiberlesia palmae (Cockerell) Diaspididae (HEM) Armoured scale
Icerya seychellarum (Westwood) Margarodidae (HEM) Soft scales
Papuana spp. Scarabaeidae (COL) Taro beetles
Planococcus dioscoreae Williams Pseudococcidae (HEM) Tam mealy bug
Planococcus pacificus Cox Pseudococcidae (HEM) Mealy bug
Pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni) Pseudococcidae (HEM) Longtailed mealybug
Diseases:
Root rot Fungi Phytophthora citricola
and Phytophthora nicotianae
and Pythium arrhenomanes
and Pythium vexans
and Rhizoctonia solani
Nematodes ? Aphelenchoides sp.
and ? Bursaphalenchus sp.
Leaf spot Fungus Glomerella cingulata
Leaf wrinkle Virus Bobone
Leaf speckle Virus Dasheen mosaic
Pests:
Importance:
It is of considerable importance in many coastal and mid altitude areas of Papua New
Guinea especially in wetter areas. A major root crop in the humid tropics.
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