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Broad bean problem

Phil1.nelsonPhil1.nelson Posts: 2
in Problem solving
Does anyone know what could be causing leaf curl on broad beans? We thought it could be weed killer in the manure ( we’ve had a delivery from the young farmers recently) but the farmer has said not. Any ideas gratefully received 

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  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    edited May 2020
    Contaminated manure was my first thought, too.  Only other thing I can think of is if it is a new raised bed and the ground below was lawn which had been treated with weed-n-feed or similar?
    Or maybe the manure wasn't rotted enough?
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Weedkiller contamination from somewhere was my first thought. 

    I would try planting/sowing something else in that bed ... not from the bean family .., something quick germinating and growing and see if it’s affected. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Phil1.nelsonPhil1.nelson Posts: 2
    Thanks, that’s helpful, the beds have been there a few years and we never use weed n feed ( or much weed killer generally) it was very greasy manure, would that make a big difference? Potatoes are also affected, a separate bed with spinach is fine, can’t eat it quick enough! 
  • ashley8DSslQ3rashley8DSslQ3r Posts: 1
    I have exactly the same problem. But I'm growing Masterpiece, Bunyard's and Sutton close together in mixed rows in a raised bed - and only Sutton is affected! All three varieties were raised in cells in an unheated greenhouse, using the same multipurpose compost, and then planted out. Adjacent peas and dwarf french beans also are unaffected. If this leaf curl was caused by herbicide residue, I would have expected neighbouring plants to be affected - unless Sutton is particularly susceptible. So I'm minded to conclude that the Sutton seeds were carrying a virus infection. Checking my notes, it is also clear that the germination rate of these Sutton seeds was only about 50-60%, whereas Masterpiece and Bunyard's were almost 100%. I've uprooted the problem plants and will replant with Masterpiece, in the (possibly vain) hope that I might salvage a late crop from the same space. Next season, if I grow Sutton I'll try a different supplier :)
  • nick615nick615 Posts: 1,487
    If it helps, my Suttons were planted very thickly and are now nearly 2ft high with no leaf problems. The ground was plastered with farmyard last summer and the drill I sowed them in was liberally anointed with chicken manure pellets before sowing in March.
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    Broad beans are known to be very sensitive to herbicide in manure. In fact one of the recomeded methods of checking manure to to grow BB in pots with a little of the manure.   The only other possible option is fassiation,  but I very much doubt that would occur on so many plants. 
    AB Still learning

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