Bean halo blight on PhaseoLus atropurpureus

Abstract

Siratro (Phaseolus atropurpureus) is a host of the bean halo blight bacterium Pseudomonas phaseolicola. Isolates from siratro were found to be pathogenic on French beans in glasshouse inoculation experiments, and vice versa. The pathogen can persist for long periods on P. atropurpureus, with little adverse effect on the stand. Such an infected stand would constitute a serious risk to green bean and bean seed production being carried on in the vicinity.