Crop & Pest Report
Dry Bean Anthracnose Found (8/25/11)
During a survey of dry beans last week anthracnose was identified in the Wells Co. area. The disease was found in the same general area last year, and its presence is alarming. Anthracnose is a disease that growers can do little to manage once they have it in their fields.
The pathogen survives in the seed, so planting see from that field will nearly ensure an epidemic in the future. Additionally, fungicide seed treatments WILL NOT eliminate anthracnose in seeds, because the pathogen is IN the seed. Lastly, dry bean seed may be infected without symptoms on the seed itself.
Symptoms of anthracnose can appear anywhere on the plant, but leaf symptoms are most unique and easily identified. On leaves, the disease will show up as necrotic (black) areas on the veins of the leaf. On the stem, pods, and seeds the lesions will be sunken necrotic lesions.
It is important to scout your fields for anthracnose, and if found in the field, PLEASE DO NOT SAVE THE SEED FOR PLANTING. If in doubt, it is best to use certified seed. The NDSU diagnostic lab can do a quick diagnosis for anthracnose, plant samples can be sent to:
Plant Diagnostic Lab; 206
Waldron Hall
NDSU Dept 7660, PO Box 6050
Fargo, North Dakota 58108-6050
Email: kasia.kinzer@ndsu.edu
Lab Web: http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pdl
Sam Markell - Extension Plant Pathologist
NDSU Crop & Pest Report - May 24, 2012
