Bean Crop Damaged

Question: I have a half acre of green beans that have developed what appears to be a fungus that is killing the foliage and bean pods on my plants.  Can you identify this fungus or disease and provide treatment options, if any.  Also-will this fungus or disease remain in the soil and affect next year's crop?

Thank you!

responder: Ask Extension Question Wrangler Pronouns: she/her/hers  Find your local Extension office here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/outreach/county  Find an expert in a specific topic here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/outreach/experts/experts-by-topic-area   Find home gardening information here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/home_gardening/  Order a soil test kit here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/soil-testing-returns-through-msu-extension   Mold questions? We don’t have an expert in mold, but we do have a few resources below or contact the  Michigan health department. Molds in the Home  Indoor Air Quality May be Hazardous to Your Health    Mushroom questions? We can’t identify, but we do have these three resources to help you: Identifying  Morel  Poisonous  MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Michigan State University occupies the ancestral, traditional and contemporary lands of the Anishinaabeg, Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi peoples. The University resides on the land ceded in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw.     Replied August 27, 2024, 11:43 AM EDT
response: Apologies for the delay, Katherine.  We've been trying to figure out the best expert.  Ben Werling will be in touch soon.  Thanks for including photos -- they really do help provide a solid recommendation.

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 27, 2024, 4:51 PM EDT
response: Hi Katherine,  It looks like white mold.   A resource from Cornell is here. You can read more there about this disease's biology and cultural controls like rotation.   White mold produces survival structures called sclerotia. They are dark colored, distinct structures. I believe they may be visible in one of your pictures, as they develop amongst the white fuzzy growth. If you see these, it's a good sign it's white mold.   Sclerotia can survive multiple years. This disease has other hosts as well, such as brassicas and soybeans. Grasses such as small grains and corn are not hosts.   Large scale growers apply fungicide at bloom time. One example of a commonly used product is Endura. The label states "Apply at the beginning of flowering. Make a second application 7 to 10 days later if disease persists or weather conditions are favorable for disease development." Flowering is an important event for control as dead flower tissue can provide an initial site for infection. Endura and other effective fungicides may be pricey.   I hope this helps!  BW

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 28, 2024, 8:44 AM EDT
response: Thank you for your thoughtful response.  My suspicion was white mold as well (was just hoping it was not)!         Thank you again!       Katie Rogers Antrim County MSU Extension   Phone: <personal data hidden> Ext. 3041 Email: <personal data hidden> 203 E. Cayuga Street P.O. Box 427 Bellaire, MI 49615   MSU Extension programs and material are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, or veteran status.   Michigan State University occupies the ancestral, traditional and contemporary lands of the Anishinaabeg - Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi peoples.  In particular, the university resides on land ceded in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw.  We recognize Michigan's 12 federally recognized Native Nations, historic Indigenous communities in Michigan, Indigenous individuals and communities who live here now, and those who were forcibly removed from their homelands.  In offering this land acknowledgement, we affirm Indigenous sovereignty, history and experiences.           From: ask=<personal data hidden> on behalf of Ask Extension  Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 4:51 PM To: Rogers, Katherine  Subject: Re: Bean Crop Damaged (#0152405)