A field in Sutter County was confirmed to have charcoal rot, also known as dry root rot or ashy stem blight, which is caused by the fungus Macrophomina phaseolina.  The disease generally occurs under dry soil conditions paired with high temperatures and can be especially problematic when irrigation is delayed during periods of drought stress. This pathogen infects the crown and stem of garbanzo plants near the soil line and produces black cankers, which are sunken with distinct margins and often contain concentric rings. The disease is usually scattered in the field and often occurs during the flowering and pod stages (although infection can occur at all growth stages). The pathogen infects the stems of seedlings at the base of the developing cotyledon near the soil line. In older plants, symptoms include stunting, leaf chlorosis, early defoliation, and ultimately plant death. A sudden drying of whole plants scattered in the field is observed. Additionally, a “charcoal dust” can appear near the soil line on the surface of roots and stems of older plants. Canker development may kill the plant's growing tip and weaken the stem, causing stems to break, separating roots from the rest of the plant when plants are removed from the field. Infection can move into the hypocotyl and root region, as well as primary leaf petioles. The plant taproot often becomes dark, necrotic, and devoid of lateral and fine roots. 

Charcoal rot on garb root (left), healthy garb root (right)

Garbanzo field with charcoal rot

Garbanzo field with charcoal rot

Management options in California are limited. This disease affects other legumes like common beans, blackeyes, and limas, as well as other crops that may be grown in rotation (like sunflowers). Inoculum survives in both seeds and soil. A 3-year rotation with a cereal grain (except corn and sorghum, which are hosts) is recommended to reduce soil inoculum levels. The dry, warm weather in the winter months earlier this year were conducive to drought stress for garbanzos, which increased the risk of disease. If possible, irrigate to avoid drought stress conditions. Garbanzos grown in soils that are high in organic matter tend to have more problems with this disease, however, garbanzos in other soil conditions are at risk if the plants are stressed and the environment is conducive to disease development.

Several garbanzo fields in the Sacramento Valley were infected with alfalfa mosaic virus, a disease that's vectored by aphids. Plant symptoms of viral infections include yellowing wilting, stunting, and dieback. The degree of plant loss and yield decline will depend on the timing of the infection (later infections may not be as damaging). A common theme for viral infections in garbanzos is that there is no pattern to the disease incidence in the field.  That is, individual plants scattered throughout the field will show dieback. This is because the infection depends on where the aphids land and feed. Aphids do not colonize (reproduce) on garbanzo plants due to the acids secreted by the plants. Instead, they usually die, so there is minimal lateral spread of the disease from the point of infection.

Garbanzo field infected with alfalfa mosaic virus, vectored by aphids.

To identify alfalfa mosaic virus and other viral infections in garbanzos, cut a stem longitudinally and observe any discoloration in the vascular tissue (xylem and phloem). If the discoloration (brownish) runs along the edges of the cut stem, then it is likely the phloem (sugar conducting tissue) and caused by an aphid-transmitted virus, which moves down into the plant from the leaves. To manage alfalfa mosaic virus, avoid planting garbanzo fields next to alfalfa fields where they can pick up and transmit the virus (lima beans are also very susceptible). It is not economical to spray for aphids because by the time you see the plant damage, the aphids will be gone. In addition, plant garbanzos during cooler months (generally December to January), after or before aphid flights occur. This year, aphid flights might have occurred during the particularly warm spell in early February when temperatures were in the high 70's.

Diseased garbanzo root (left) infected with alfalfa mosaic virus (note the brown discoloration compared with a healthy root (right).

If the discoloration in a stem is in the center of the stem (xylem or water conducting tissues), it is likely Fusarium wilt which moves up into the plant from the roots and stains the xylem tissues dark-brown to almost black. Fusarium wilt is different from Fusarium root rot and it has primarily been found in the Central Coast of California in some of the older garbanzo growing areas. In fields with a history of Fusarium wilt, plant resistant cultivars such as UC-27, which is adapted to the Central Valley.

This spring, we found a garbanzo bean field in the Sacramento Valley with fusarium root rot, identified by our new UCCE Plant Pathologist, Cassandra Swett at UC Davis. Fusarium root rot, caused by the fungus, Fusarium solani f. sp. ciceris, attacks the underground stems and roots of plants. Early infection is characterized by elongated reddish streaks on the roots. As the disease progresses, these eventually form reddish-brown lesions that will surround the entire root, causing decay.  The above ground plant symptoms of affected plants include yellowing, wilting, stunting, and dieback. This Fusarium root rot is very specific to garbanzos and field peas (it will not go to other field crops). Plants are more susceptible to this disease when they are stressed, such as under drought or water logging conditions. We suspect that our recent relatively warm, dry winter stressed the garbanzo plants in the affected field, favoring disease development that healthy plants would normally grow out of.  Use of seed treatments will help manage this disease along with long-term crop rotation. More information on diseases in dry beans can be found on the newly revised UC IPM guidelines for dry beans.

Fusarium root rot in a garbanzo field in the Sacramento Valley, 2018.

The Diseases and Abiotic Disorders section of the UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines for Dry Beans have been recently revised and updated and are now available online at UC IPM Dry Beans Pest Management Guidelines.

Authors include Farm Advisors Carol Frate (emeritus) and Rachael Long and UC Davis Professor Paul Gepts. Two new diseases were added, including pythium in established plants and chocolate blotch on limas.  The Fusarium wilt sections were also consolidated and new photos were added throughout the guidelines.  This includes an updated photo page to compare common diseases and abiotic symptoms to help identify them (Photo Identification). 

With the upcoming planting season for dry beans, these guidelines can help with managing diseases in your fields. Worried about southern blight? Yes, beans are susceptible and you'll need to rotate to a non-host crop, including corn or grains for at least 2-years to reduce the inoculum. How about alfalfa mosaic virus? This disease is transmitted by aphids from alfalfa fields, so avoid planting beans adjacent to alfalfa. This information and much more are available through the revised UC IPM Dry Bean guidelines! 

The remaining pest management sections, including insect pest and weed management, are in the process of being revised and will be published soon! 

A dry bean plant with yellow-mottled leaves from alfalfa mosaic virus, vectored by aphids. Avoid planting beans adjacent to alfalfa fields.