Abstract

Abstract Angular leaf spot of beans caused by Phaeoisariopsis griseola is a major problem on this crop in Eastern Africa. The sources of inoculum for this disease were investigated. The causal fungus was confirmed as seedborne in all the cultivars tested. The fungus caused seed discolouration but not all infected seeds were discoloured. Seed to seedling transmission was low. The fungus survived in infected crop debris for a maximum of nine and four to six months under indoor and outside conditions respectively. Under soil, the fungus survived for only two months. Infected offseason crops and volunteer plants were present at the time of planting the seasons’ crops and were an obvious source of the inoculum. It is concluded that the seed, crop debris, off‐season crops and volunteer plants are all possible sources of P. griseola infection under the local conditions.