Field beans are cultivated extensively in Central Europe for animal feed, hence the name cattle bean or broad bean. But diseases do not only play a role in agriculture, fungal infections and other pathogens can also strike when growing in your own garden. Learn more about common diseases, how to recognize them, and how to prevent and combat them below.
Chocolate spot disease is a common fungal infection
fungal diseases
Fungal diseases are probably one of the most common diseases affecting broad beans. As with fungal diseases that affect humans, they are favored by warm, humid environments. In hot, humid summers, the probability of illness is significantly higher. The three most common fungal diseases are:
- Chocolate spot disease: reddish-brown spots with a light center on leaves and stems after flowering
- Burn spot disease: up to 1 cm large, light brown spots with a dark edge, before and after flowering, on leaves, pods and seeds
- Broad bean rust: rust-colored pustules on both sides of the leaf, which turn dark as the disease progresses
- Gray mould: Gray coating on leaves, flowers and pods
prevent fungal diseases
To prevent infestation by fungal diseases, you should take the following measures:
- Keep the recommended minimum planting distance
- Ensure a wide row spacing to prevent moisture build-up
- Sow as early as possible so that the plants are already strong and well-grown by the critical time
- Observe crop rotation
- Provide sufficient nutrients in the soil
- grow mixed crops
treat fungal diseases
If one or more field bean plants are affected by one of the diseases mentioned above, you should first remove all affected parts of the plant with a clean knife. Do not dispose of the diseased parts of the plant in the compost! We do not recommend treatment with pesticides in the home garden. The chemical agents are almost always harmful to health and not only have a negative effect on your own health, but above all on that of the insects and small animals living in the garden.
Other diseases
In addition to the fungal diseases mentioned above, your field bean can also get other diseases. For example:
- Leaf curl disease: Leaves curl up and turn yellow
- Broad bean mosaic virus: Yellow to tan spots on leaves
prevent viral diseases
In general, the same preventive measures apply as mentioned above for fungal diseases. A well cared for plant is in most cases also a healthy plant.
Treat viral diseases on field beans
Viral diseases are often difficult to control. If you have a plant affected by broad bean mosaic virus or leaf roll disease, it is better to remove it promptly to prevent the virus from spreading. The use of pesticides is also not recommended here.