Major Fungal French Bean Diseases: Epidemiology and Management

Abstract

French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important leguminous vegetable crop, grown throughout the world for its green pods as well as dry beans. During cultivation these crops are infected with several diseases of fungal, bacterial and viral nature which not only reduces the yield but also impair the quality of the produce. In this chapter, major fungal diseases like root rot and web blight (Rhizoctonia solani), angular leaf spot (Phaeoisariopsis griseola), anthracnose (Colletotrichum lindemuthianum) and rust (Uromyces appendiculatus) infecting this crop are discussed in light of their epidemiology and management. The management practices include cultural, host resistance, biological and chemical control alone and their integration. It was also discussed how number of sprays of fungicides can be reduced by using epidemiological parameters.