The infection starts out with tiny leaf and stem lesions. Infected pods lead to reduced seed quality and yield. Anthracnose generally does not affect seed quality. But it spreads more rapidly than ascochyta. The infection is very aggressive on stems, and cuts off the flow of water and nutrients in the plant.
Stems soon die and large brown patches of dead plants show up in the field.
Identifying early lesions of anthracnose and distinguishing them from ascochyta is difficult if you haven't had some training. Consulting a professional agrologist, fungicide company rep or plant pathologist is a good idea. You might also have suspicious-looking leaflets analyzed. The company provides a collecting dish in which you place 15 to 20 affected leaflets. Collection procedures are explained.