M. A. Pastor-Corrales

Occurrence and Distribution in Rwanda of Soilborne Fungi Pathogenic to the Common Bean

The occurrence and distribution of soilborne fungi pathogenic to the common bean were determined by surveys conducted in seven of Rwandas 10 prefectures during four growing seasons from 1989 to 1990. The pathogens were identified on the basis of symptoms, colony characteristics, reproductive structures, and pathogenicity tests. Of the plants sampled during the March through June 1989 season from four prefectures, 97% exhibited symptoms associated with soilborne pathogens. Root and hypocotyl symptoms appeared in plants sampled during the September through December 1989 season from the prefectures of Kigali (19%), Butare (40%), Gikongoro (33%), and Cyangugu (33%) and during the March through June 1990 season from Gisenyi (60%) and Kibungo (53%). Pythium spp., Macrophomina phaseolina, Rhizoctonia solani, and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli were isolated from all seven prefectures during all four seasons. Sclerotium rolfsii was isolated only during the 1990 September through December season. The frequency of isolation varied by region and season. Pythium spp. were the most frequently isolated fungi from about 40% of the samples, suggesting their potential importance in the root rot complex in Rwanda. The relative importance of the soilborne pathogens and possible relationships with existing cropping systems are discussed. These results will help focus efforts in developing management strategies for common bean diseases caused by soilborne pathogens in Rwanda.

Andean beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) with resistance to the angular leaf spot pathogen (Phaeoisariopsis griseola) in southern and eastern Africa

Common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) are separated into two distinct groups: Andean and Middle American. We identified CAL 143 as the first Andean bean with resistance to angular leaf spot disease caused by Phaeoisariopsis griseola. Angular leaf spot is the most widespread and economically important bean disease in southern and eastern Africa, and it is especially severe on the extensively grown Andean beans. Cal 143 was resistant in Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia, but it was susceptible in Uganda. This was attributed to the presence of races of P. griseola in Uganda not present in the other countries. We identified two additional Andean bean lines, AND 277 and AND 279, with resistance to angular leaf spot in Malawi. We also characterized the virulence diversity of 15 isolates of P. griseola from southern and eastern Africa into nine different races. Five of six isolates from Malawi and two of seven from Uganda, obtained from large-seeded Andean beans, were characterized into four different races considered Andean. These were compatible only or mostly with large-seeded Andean cultivars. The other eight isolates from Uganda, Malawi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, obtained from a small- or medium-seeded Middle American beans, were characterized into five different Middle American races. These were compatible with Middle American and Andean cultivars. CAL 143 was resistant or intermediate under greenhouse conditions to all but one of the same 15 isolates from southern and eastern Africa, but it was susceptible to an isolate from Uganda obtained from a medium-seeded Middle American bean.