Cause: This fungal disease is triggered by excess moisture, poor airflow, and prolonged wet conditions. It infects beans and spreads through contaminated soil, tools, or splashing rainwater.
Symptoms:
Soft, brown, water-soaked lesions on vanilla beans
Premature bean dropping
Beans shriveling and turning dark brown
Organic Treatment & Prevention
Control moisture levels by avoiding excessive watering and using light but regular mist irrigation.
Maintain airflow by keeping space between vines.
Mulch with antifungal materials like coconut coir, or well-rotted leaves instead of organic matter that retains excessive moisture.
Apply cinnamon or turmeric spray by mixing 1 teaspoon of cinnamon or turmeric powder in 1 liter of water and spraying infected beans.
Use a baking soda spray for prevention by mixing 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of liquid soap, and 1 liter of water, then spraying weekly to prevent fungal spread.
Apply milk-based fungicides by mixing 10 percent raw milk with water and spraying every 7 to 10 days to prevent fungal growth.
Incorporate Trichoderma soil applications by adding a Trichoderma-based biofungicide (5g/L) to prevent spore germination in soil.