80 SCIENTIFIC REPORTS OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH 



would not otherwise have been laid down. In particular, 

 mango gardens were cultivated with "pebyugale" under 

 the trees, and in such shaded situations the disease seems 

 worse. 



The method of cultivation takes no account of the habit 

 of Phaseolus lunatus. This plant is a climber. It is, how- 

 ever, hardly ever grown as such, but the seed is broadcasted 

 on the field and the plant is left to form a straggling growth. 

 The result of this, and of the heavy sowing rate, is to form 

 a dense mat of vegetation, about 18" or more thick, all over 

 the field. Within this light and air cannot penetrate and 

 humidity is very high. The conditions within such a mat 

 of vegetation are ideal for the development of any fungus, 

 and particularly for a fungus which makes its most active 

 growth at relatively low temperatures as does the present 

 parasite. 



In a publication of the Burma Department of Agricul- 

 ture (Leaflet No. 47) it is recommended that the crop be 

 sown in lines 2^ feet apart. Where this advice has been, 

 followed, little or no disease can be seen and the yield of 

 beans is actually improved, as where the plants are widely 

 spaced a far greater number of flowers are borne and come 

 to maturity. 



The fungus possesses large black sclerotia with a septate 

 mycelium bearing a conidial stage in the genus Botrytis. 

 Upon damp sand or moist corn meal the sclerotia will ger- 

 minate and produce long stalk-like structures. So far these 

 stalk-like structures have failed to produce any fructifica- 

 tion. During the forthcoming cold season infections will 

 be carried out on a number of different species of Phaseolus. 



(9) Other diseases. The rotting of stored potatoes is 

 a serious problem in several parts of India, both as affect- 

 ing potatoes stored for seed and as restricting the supply 

 intended for consumption. Dr. Shaw; visited Poona in 

 November to see the potato storing system worked out by 

 the Bombay Department of Agriculture in co-operation 

 with a private firm, and to advise on the methods adopted. 



