FIELD REACTION OF LANDRACE COMPONENTS OF RED MOTTLED BEANS TO COMMON BACTERIAL-BLIGHT

Field reaction of 25 red mottled bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) genotypes to common bacterial blight [Xanthomonas campestris pv. phaseoli (Smith) Dye] was evaluated in Puerto Rico over 2 years. The average disease severity (percent leaf area with symptoms) was similar over years. The determinate red mottled genotypes had almost twice as much disease as indeterminate genotypes. Eight of the indeterminate genotypes had significantly less disease than the mean of the field experiments. These genotypes may serve as useful sources of resistance to common bacterial blight. The size of the chlorotic zone around necrotic lesions varied between growing seasons, showing that environment can influence the expression of common bacterial blight symptoms.