This study was carried out to determine the effect of temperature and foliage wetness on the development of rust and angular leaf spot on common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). Three field experiments were performed during three different growing seasons: from October to December 1998 (spring); May to August 1999 (winter) and from February to May (autumn). All trials were set in completely randomized block designs with three replicates and two treatments. The treatments were: 1) Inoculation with Uromyces appendiculatus and 2) Inoculation with Phaeoisariopsis griseola. the weather conditions prevalent in each of the seasons determined the maximum disease levels of each disease. Temperatures around 16 °C that prevailed during the winter favored foliage wetness and was beneficial for rust occurrence leading to higher values of maximum rust severity (Ymax=1.3) and growth rates (0.09, 0.04 and 0.07 on 34, 55 and 62 days, respectively). During spring and autumn conditions angular leaf spot was more intense and the values of maximum rust severity were equal to 2.6 and 3.5, respectively. Spring growth rates were 0.06, 0.02 and 0.15 on 46, 60 and 67 days, respectively, while autumn conditions led to growth rates of 0.13 and 0.38 on 51 and 58 days, respectively. Based on these results it can be concluded that winter conditions were more favorable for rust epidemics, while spring and autumn conditions were more favorable for angular leaf spot epidemics.
