The incidence of bacterial blights of French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) in East Gippsland, Victoria

Abstract

The incidence of common blight, halo blight and brown spot on French beans was surveyed in the Bairnsdale-Lindenow and Orbost areas in East Gippsland during the 1975-76 and 1976-77 growing seasons. Common blight and halo blight were severe only during late January to March, and occurred largely on mature crops. Common blight was the more severe disease in the Orbost area whereas halo blight was more severe in the Bairnsdale-Lindenow area. Brown spot occurred throughout the season on crops of all ages in both areas but was more severe in the Bairnsdale-Lindenow area. The relationship of weather to the incidence of bacterial blights in the two areas is discussed. It is inferred that losses due to common blight and halo blight could be considerably minimized by timing the planting of crops to harvest them by mid-February.