Why Did My Pinto Bean Seed Rot?

Identification

• Pinto beans are susceptible to seed rot diseases caused by fungi from the Pythium group. The fungi persist in soil for extended periods in the form of spores and continually infect new seeds. Fungal growth is favored especially by excessive levels of water and nitrogen in the soil.

Damage

• One of the primary symptoms of infection in seeds is failure to germinate. As the infection grows, seeds start to decay and get soft. Eventually the entire seed disintegrates in the soil. If the seeds do germinate, there are dark, water-soaked spots on the stems. These lesions rapidly increase in size, killing the seedling in the soil before emergence.

Control

• Rotate crops and avoid growing beans in soil with known cases of seed rot. Plant seeds in well-drained, warm ground. Sow at a shallow depth and avoid excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers. Try to use fungicide-treated seeds as this helps to minimize chances of infection.