Rusty Broad Beans

[Pumpkin Becki]

Hi, I'm a first year allotmenteer and with the help of all this rain, we've had a very repectable harvest so far (despite not getting hold of our allotment til May! and breaking my leg in July!

However, in my excitement I planted the Broad Beans a bit close together and they seem to be suffering from 'rust' (powdery deposit on the leaves) - could also be 'chocolate spot' I suppose. The Beans themselves are fine, it is just the leaves that are affected.

Can anyone tell me if the plants will be okay to compost, or will I be infecting my heap and therefore spreading the problem? Am I safer burning/ binning the infected plants.

Look forward to your thoughts.

[JennieAtkinson]

Cant help you with the rust problem PB, but welcome to the Vine!

[Benacre]

You are suffering Orange spot (Chocolate spot)Fungus it is a Uredinale called Uromyces viciae-fabae

There is also a powdery mildew that can affect bean pods and leaves called Microsphera baeumleri
Both fungi naturally break down the pods and leaves and are harmless.
Colin

[Pumpkin Becki]

Ah huh! I thought as much. So you think I'm okay to compost?

[Benacre]

Yes of course the spores will help to disintigrate the pods and leaves, try though to dig in the bean roots as they have nitrogen fixing qualities

[Pumpkin Becki]

Brilliant! Thank you very much for your advise.