Occurrence of scab of Phaseolus vulgaris caused by Elsinoë phaseoli in South Africa

Scab of beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris ) caused by Elsinoë phaseoli Jenkins is reported for the first time from South Africa. The conidial state (a Sphaceloma sp.) was isolated in pure culture from symptomatic plants. Typical scab symptoms were produced on plants inoculated with the Sphaceloma sp. and the pathogen was re‐isolated from the scab lesions. Asci and ascospores typical of E. phaseoli were found on lesions on artificially inoculated plants and on plants from the field.