The Intensity of a Bean Fusarium Root Rot Epidemic is Dependent on Planting Strategies

Restricting Fusarium root rot (FRR) epidemics and improving productivity using fewer chemicals is a major concern in bean‐growing regions. The main purpose of this research was to identify the planting strategies associated with FRR development and seed production in bean crops. A 2‐year study of 122 commercial bean farms in four major producing regions in Zanjan, Iran, was performed to characterize the associations of farming indicators with FRR and productivity. Linear mixed‐effect models, contingency tables and correspondence analyses were used to describe the variables relationships. Low disease and high productivity were linked to herbicide and manure applications, fungicidal treatment of seeds, manual sowing and sprinkler irrigation. Furrow irrigation, mechanical sowing, planting on raised seedbeds, the lack of fertilizer and herbicide use accounted for high disease and low seed production. The results of the study provide further evidence of factors contributions to the wider FRR spread over bean‐cropping systems. Overall, this suggests that the selected composition of planting strategies can improve bean production and reduce FRR intensity.