Epidemiological Characteristics of Angular Leaf Spot of Bean: A Systems Analysis

In this review, available knowledge on angular leaf spot (ALS) of bean, caused by Phaeoisariopsis griseola, is analysed and synthesised. This is done through a systems-analytical approach, and successive flowcharts of the system, in order to identify knowledge gaps and guide further research. Six connected sub-models of the ALS monocycle are used as a framework: lesion establishment, lesion extension, defoliation, sporulation, spore liberation, and spore deposition. Each of the sub-models enables the linking of processes to various effects of environmental (physical and host) factors. Disease-induced defoliation is one feature of the pathosystem, leading to a depletion of infectious tissues from the canopy, which are transferred to the ground. Consequences of defoliation may include: strong reductions of the amount of inoculum and of vacant sites in the canopy, limited maximum disease severity, and progressive accumulation of inoculum below the canopy, which may become important a later stage of disease epidemics. These elements are hypothesised to explain the typical behaviour of ALS epidemics in the field, especially late onset, high apparent rate of disease increase, and low level of terminal disease severity in the standing canopy. Epidemiological consequences of lesion expansion, sporulation, and survival of spores deposited onto the canopy are other knowledge gaps in this pathosystem.