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The Leaves on My Green Bean Plants are Turning Yellow

Green beans are a warm season crop used in a variety of forms; the immature pods are referred to as snap beans, the seeds are used as shell beans and the mature seeds are called dry beans. A viral disease causes green bean plants to turn yellow.
  1. Identification

    • The virus is caused by bean yellow mosaic potyvirus or BYMV. The virus is commonly transmitted to plants by aphids such as the black bean and green peach aphid. The pests infect bean plants within seconds of feeding.

    Damage

    • Bean plants infected with the virus start to turn bright yellow. The foliage often takes on a green mosaic-like, mottled look. The yellow color and mottled appearance becomes more pronounced as plants mature. As the disease progresses, the foliage is distorted and wrinkled with down-cupping. Younger plants grow poorly.

    Control

    • The University of California Extension cites the use of resistant varieties as the best management option. Plant beans away from perennial legumes like clover or alfalfa.