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Root Rots of Dry Beans

Howard Schwartz (May, 2011)

Summary

Many soil-borne fungal pathogens are widespread throughout dry bean and snap bean growing areas of Colorado and surrounding states. Yield losses range from a trace to 100 percent, especially when adverse environmental conditions persist after planting and through flowering. The most common diseases and their pathogens are Fusarium root rot or dry rot (Fusarium solani f. sp. phaseoli), Fusarium wilt or yellows (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli), Rhizoctonia root and pod rots (Rhizoctonia solani), and Pythium damping off, wilt and pod rot (various Pythium species). This fact sheet describes the pathogens, their symptoms and methods of control.