Symptoms

• Bean rust is mainly a disease of bean leaves that causes rust-colored spots to form on the lower leaf surfaces.
• Severely infected leaves turn yellow, wilt, and then drop off of the plant.
• Stems and pods may also be infected. This disease is caused by the fungus Uromyces appendiculaters.
• It affects most types of beans under humid conditions.

Management

• The fungus survives the winter in the soil, on plant debris and even on poles used the previous year. In gardens where rust has been severe, crop rotation is important.
• As plants begin to bloom, sulfur or chlorothalonil can be sprayed weekly on snap and green beans only.
• Do not apply chlorothalonil to lima (butter) beans. Wait seven days between spraying and harvest when using chlorothalonil on beans, and 14 days on Southern peas.
• Apply chemicals according to directions on the label.