Inoculation methods of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum in seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris

Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum (Sacc. & Magnus) Scrib. is one of the most serious diseases of bean crops. Inoculation techniques are important to evaluate the resistance of genotypes and control methods at early stages of seedling development. Due to the need for infected seedlings, the objective of the present study was to test different inoculation methods of C. lindemuthianum on bean seeds to verify the the impact on the emergence and early development of seedlings. Seeds of BRS Expedito were inoculated by spore suspension, contact with the pathogen in a water restricted medium, and with PDA discs containing mycelium and spores of the fungus. The experimental design was completely randomized with eight repetitions. Emergence, shoot length and dry mass, and incidence of symptoms of the disease on the hypocotyl and leaf were evaluated. The inoculation methods were effective at causing the infection of the pathogen in the bean seedlings, without affecting emergence, and contact with the pathogen in a water restricted medium was the most effective method.