Status of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Diseases in Metekel Zone, North West Ethiopia

Common bean has versatile benefits such as nutritional, environmental and economic benefits for the producers and consumers. However, its production has been affected and threatened by a number of biotic factors. Survey was conducted in 2018/19 cropping season within three woredas of Metekel Zone, Benshangul-Gumz region, Ethiopia, with the objective of identifying and prioritizing haricot bean diseases.The result revealed that haricot bean production in the Zone is affected by eleven diseases which are caused by fungi, bacteria and virus. Based on the disease severity, incidence and prevalence scores, the diseases are categorized in to Major, intermediate and Minor disease. Angular Leaf Spot (Pseudocercospora griseola), Anthracnose (Colletotrichum lindemuthianum), Floury leaf spot (Mycovellosiella phaseoli), and Cercospora leaf spot (Cercospora cruenta are grouped in to major diseases. Rust (i), Web blight Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn (teleomorph Thanatephorus cucumeris (Frank) Donk), Ascochyta blight (Phomaexigua var. exigua/Ascochyta phaseolorum acc) and Bean common mosaic virus (potyvirus) are categorized as Intermediate and the remaining three diseases: Halo blight (Pseudomonas syringaepv. phaseolicola), Common Bacterial Blight (Xanthomonas axonopodis pv phaseoli) and Downy Mildew (Phytophthora phaseoli Thaxt) are grouped under minor diseases. The survey revealed, the common bean production and disease management practices and variety development efforts for the Zone, onwards, should focus on those major disease (such as Angular Leaf Spot, Anthracnose, Floury leaf spot, and Frog Eye leaf spot) in order to sustain production and productivity of common bean cultivars.