Faba beans are considered very robust plants. Nevertheless, they can also be attacked by diseases from time to time. You can find out which fungus small, chocolate brown spots could indicate in this article.
What are chocolate spots on broad beans?
Dark brown spots on the leaves, stems, flowers or pods of broad beans are called chocolate spot disease. It occurs particularly in warm, humid weather and can spread quickly. You can prevent this with he althy seeds, planting that is not too dense and a long break from cultivation.
What do chocolate colored spots on my broad beans mean?
So-called chocolate spots on faba beans usually indicatechocolate spot disease. Initially, the infection appears as small, round, chocolate brown spots on the lower leaves of the faba bean. They are often bordered by a reddish border. Without appropriate measures, the disease will continue to spread and the spots will become larger. The leaves dry up and die. The pods and stems of broad beans can also show brown spots.
What is the cause of chocolate spot disease on faba beans
The cause of chocolate spot disease is a fungus calledBotrytis, whose spores are spread by wind and rain. Chocolate spot disease usually occurs on faba beans in humid regions. In awarm and rainy summer the risk of an infestation is particularly high, as the fungus can spread particularly aggressively in a humid climate.
How do I combat chocolate spot disease on faba beans?
The best way to prevent chocolate spot disease is toprotect your faba beans from infestationThe most important measure is to take acultivation breakof five years. This means that in a bed where you had grown faba beans, you will not grow any more faba beans for five years after the harvest. Also, always make sure to only planthe althy seeds. If the pods or beans already contain dark spots that suggest chocolate spot disease, you should sort them out and not plant them in the bed. The use of chemical measures should be avoided if possible.
Tip
Distinguish between chocolate spot disease and focal spot disease on faba beans
In addition to chocolate spot disease, focal spot disease also leads to dark spots on faba beans. However, in the latter, black spots are more likely to be observed and the diseases can therefore be clearly distinguished from one another.
