Symptoms

• Many fungi, including Rhizoctonia solani, Pythium species and Fusarium solani, form species phaseoli, live in the soil and will infect young seedlings or the seeds of bean plants.
• Seedlings fail to emerge after planting when the seeds rot in the soil or young seedlings may be stunted.
• Plants are usually affected slightly above or below the soil line with a watery soft rot. Roots of the plant usually die and leaves turn yellow.

Management

• Do not plant beans in low, poorly drained areas. Plant on raised beds.
• Plant after the soil has warmed to 69° F at a 4 inch depth. Reduce disease buildup in the soil by rotating locations in the garden where you plant bean or pea with other vegetables.
• Try to avoid injury to the root system, which often occurs during planting, through cultivation or due to a large population of nematodes in the soil.
• Remove crop debris immediately after harvest. Plant seeds previously treated with captan. Apply chemicals according to directions on the label.