The effects of coating papaya fruit (Carica papaya) with cassava starch were studied to determine the
best concentration and mode of action of this material in postharvest control of anthracnose. The concentrations
of starch tested were 1%, 2%, 3% and 4%. These were prepared to give gel consistency. Surface sterilized papaya
fruits were inoculated with conidia of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and incubated for 48 h in a moisture chamber.
The fruits were then treated with cassava gels and dried. During the following 14 d storage period, fruit maturation
and anthracnose on the fruits were assessed, and electron microscopy was used to examine fruit epicarps. All
cassava starch coating concentrations reduced fruit maturation and anthracnose, with the 2%, 3% and 4% coatings
giving 100% disease control. The 2% starch coating is likely to be optimum, considering the lower cost efficiency of
disease control. The mechanism of disease control provided by the coating is likely to be related to delay of ripening
and the formation of a protective layer over the fruit.