The white mold commonly seen on the pods seldom develops on leaves. The pathogen can also cause a seedling damping-off. Persistence And Transmission. Both the seed and dead plant material can act as sources of the disease in the following year. Disease development is favored by wet weather with cool nights, heavy dews, and fairly warm days.
Infection is most serious on pods lying close to the soil.
Susceptible plants can be destroyed in a few days under the right conditions. The disease is most commonly spread by wind and rain. The lima bean variety Eastland is resistant to the disease. Use disease-free seed. Use crop rotation.