Project Overview
Seedborne Disease Screening on Organic Dry Beans in the Northeast
Commodities
- Vegetables: beans (dry)
Target Pests
- Target Pests: bacterial diseases, fungus, other
Practices
- Pest Management: cultural control, disease vectors, host resistance, prevention
- Crop Production: crop rotation, varieties and cultivars
Proposal abstract:
Dry beans (Phaseolus spp.) are well suited for the Northeast as they serve as a great addition to grain rotations and are a highly marketable crop. However, due to climate change, weather conditions in the Northeast are becoming more suitable for disease outbreaks. Approximately 50% of the major dry bean pathogens can be seedborne or seed transmitted (Loria 2021). The primary seedborne pathogens affecting dry bean production in the Northeast are the fungal pathogen anthracnose (Colletotrichum lindemuthianum), and two bacterial pathogens, common bacterial blight (Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. Phaseoli) and halo blight (Pseudomonas syringae pv. Phaseolicola). These pathogens can cause significant yield loss for dry bean growers and are spread via infected seed. This is particularly concerning for organic dry bean growers in the Northeast that rely on saved seed for planting future crops. There has not been a dry bean seedborne pathogen assessment conducted in the Northeast to better understand the prevalence of these pathogens, along with other seedborne pathogens whose incidence may be increasing with climate change. In order for researchers and extension staff to better understand the issues organic dry bean growers are facing in this region we will evaluate seed lots from organic farms throughout the Northeast to determine which seedborne pathogens are posing the highest risk. The results of this project will inform the creation of a Guide to Seedborne Diseases in Organic Dry Bean Production and be delivered to farms through online media, newsletters, and field days. This project will provide farmers in the Northeast with more accurate information on seedborne diseases impacting dry beans and inform better disease management strategies across the Northeast.
Project objectives from proposal:
Objective 1: Identify seedborne diseases impacting organic dry bean production in the Northeast.
Objective 2: Develop seedborne disease identification and management resources for dry bean producers in the Northeast.
Objective 3: Disseminate seedborne disease materials and information to dry bean growers in the Northeast.
