The growing significance of faba bean as an export crop in Ethiopia has directed to a transformed interest by farmers to increase the area under production; however, its production is mainly inhibited by chocolate spot disease driven by the fungus Botrytis fabae. Disease survey was conducted in five districts (Ambo, Toke-kutaye, Dandi, Chelia and Diree-inchini) of West Shoa zone to assess the disease intensity of chocolate spot. Among 62 faba bean fields assessed, 58 fields were affected by the disease. The intensity of the disease varied across the districts, growth stages, altitudes, soil types and varieties. The mean disease incidence and severity of chocolate spot were ranged from 69.3 -100% and 32.6-57.0% across the districts, respectively. The correlation between disease parameters and altitudes were positively significant with disease incidence (r = 0.29) and severity (r = 0.45). Hence, integrated disease management options that consider the growth stage, altitude and soil types should be developed to minimize damage caused by chocolate spot and major diseases of faba bean.

Keywords: Botrytis fabae, Disease assessment, Faba bean