The diseases of arracacha that have already been recorded are described and their current situation in Brazil is discussed. Since its introduction in 1900-1910, arracacha has been considered a non-demanding crop, presenting some minor disease problems, especially when compared to other vegetable crops. Many of the recorded arracacha diseases in Brazil and other Latin American countries are poorly described, for there is hardly any information about pathogenicity tests, pathogen identity, crop losses and environmental conditions affecting diseases. Worldwide, 27 genera of fungi, three of bacteria, nine of nematodes and five species of viruses have been recorded. Of these, thirteen fungi and all bacteria and nematodes were recorded in Brazil. So far, no virus has been recorded, although virus-like symptoms have been observed. The most important diseases are the root knot, caused by Meloidogyne spp., and the postharvest soft rot caused by Erwinia spp. Commonly occurring diseases are leaf spots caused by Septoria spp., Cercospora spp. and Xanthomonas campestris pv. arracaciae, as well as plant rots caused by Sclerotium rolfsii and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Viruses could become of great importance since this crop is vegetatively propagated, and part of the plantlets are now being produced in nurseries by a new technique (pre-rooting) and then disseminated to different areas throughout Brazil. As there is no pesticide officially registered for this crop in Brazil, preventive measures of control must be used, such as crop rotation, suitable fertilization and irrigation, and removal and destruction of diseased plants. Arracacha seems to be suitable for organic cropping systems, since few diseases are considered limitant.
Arracacia xanthorrhiza; fungi; bacteria; nematodes; virus
