Chocolate spot, caused by Botrytis fabae and B. cinerea, is the most severe disease affecting faba beans in Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales. Chocolate spot occurs in all areas where faba beans are grown and causes losses ranging from minor to complete crop failure depending on the severity of infection, the time at which infection occurs and the amount of spring rainfall. Affected plants usually have fewer pods which reduces their yield potential. In unprotected crops the disease can be expected to reduce yields by 30-50 percent in a bad year. In addition, seeds from badly affected plants may have a reddish-brown discolouration, which lowers their market value.

Symptoms are varied and range from small spots on the leaves to complete blackening of the entire plant. Leaves are the main part of the plant affected, but under favourable conditions for the disease it also spreads to stems, flowers and pods.

Two stages of the disease are usually recognised. First, a non-aggressive phase, when discrete reddish- brown spots are ‘peppered’ over the leaves and stems, (Figures 6.1 and 6.2). Next an aggressive phase occurs when spots darken in colour and coalesce to form larger grey-brown target spots that may eventually cover the entire plant. Small black sclerotia may sometimes be found inside the stems of badly diseased plants.

Sometimes, red-legged earth mite damage can be mistaken for chocolate spot, (Figure 6.3). This starts as silvery patches which become red-brown, similar in colour to chocolate spot but form large, irregularly- shaped areas. Red-legged earth mite damage usually occurs during the seedling stage and on the lower leaves.

Figure 6.1 Chocolate spot development on faba bean plant, showing infected leaves and flowers

Figure 6.2 Characteristic chocolate spot on leaf of infected faba bean plant

Figure 6.3 Red-legged earth mite damage can be mistaken for chocolate spot. Symptoms start as silvery patches which become red-brown. They are similar in colour to chocolate spot but form large irregularly- shaped area

The fungus may either survive as sclerotia in the soil or on crop debris, on infected seed, or on self- sown volunteer plants. In new bean growing areas the disease often becomes established by sowing infected seeds. In subsequent years the initial infection usually occurs when spores formed on old bean trash are carried by wind into new crops. These spores may move long distances. Once the disease becomes established, it rapidly spreads within a crop and within 4-5 days of infection, spores can be formed on infected tissue and initiate the secondary spread of the disease. The fungus is most aggressive under warm, humid conditions, particularly at flowering time. In spring, hot and dry conditions can retard the disease and stop its spread, (Figure 6.4).

Figure 6.4 Disease cycle of Chocolate Spot on Faba Beans. Illustration by Kylie Fowler

An integrated approach is the key to successful management of chocolate spot in faba bean.