Evaluation of Fungicides for White Mold Management in Dry Black Bean in Geneva, New York, 2024

White mold, caused by the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, is one of the most devastating and recalcitrant diseases of dry bean. Symptoms of white mold are bleached, necrotic lesions on stems and pods, accompanied by fungal signs including white, cottony mycelia, and sclerotia. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of selected OMRI-listed fungicides with potential for white mold control in organic dry black bean production in New York. All products significantly reduced the incidence of white mold on plants compared to nontreated control plots, except for Double Nickel. The incidence of white mold on plants in plots receiving Double Nickel was not significantly different from Howler, Theia, and Badge X2. The incidence of white mold on pods was significantly reduced by all treatments compared to nontreated control plots and were not significantly different between each other. Treatment had no significant effect on the pod yield components.