This project has focused on disease control in dwarf beans and peas. One component evaluated the efficacy of a selection of bio-fungicides/bio-stimulants for control of sclerotinia on dwarf beans, while another assessed the efficacy of a selection of bio-fungicides/bio-stimulants for fusarium on peas. Both involved conducting a series of replicated field trials.

Following initial screening of these products for efficacy in the first year, further work in years two and three focused on candidate products showing the most promise.

In year two, efficacy of some of the biological products varied due to differences in disease pressure, impact of an early season frost and weed competition in the bean trial. This seasonal variation prompted the decision to carry out two more seasons of replicated field trials in order to fully validate the efficacy of the products showing most promise. The further two seasons of trials will also generate data for application timing of these products.

In year three, a bean trial located in Hawke’s Bay, was added to the existing pea and bean trials being conducted in Canterbury. Harvests of all three trial sites are underway, and results from assessments are due later in 2025.

The purpose of this work is to demonstrate to growers and agronomists how these products perform at field scale, and how they can be integrated into IPM programmes.

Find out more about results of earlier field trials of new fungicides for Sclerotinia control in dwarf beans.

Read more about this project:

September 2023: Trials seeking biological solutions for peas and beans

February 2025: Biologicals show promise in peas and bean trials