Diagrammatic scales for the estimation of black node disease severity in common bean

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to design two diagrammatic scales for the evaluation of black node disease (Stagonosporopsis hortensis and Boeremia spp.) in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The developed scales corresponded to logarithmic intervals (SADL) of seven levels and equal intervals (SADE) of nine levels. These scales were compared to the scale developed by the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), which corresponds to a descriptive scale (NoSAD). In the scale validation the accuracy, precision, and concordance of repeatability were determined using Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient, whereas inter-rater reproducibility was determined by the overall concordance correlation coefficient (OCCC). It was observed that with the use of the proposed scales, reproducibility and repeatability were significantly improved for inexperienced raters, and reproducibility was improved in the case of experienced raters. Thus, the designed standard area diagrams with equal and logarithmic intervals are a useful tool for estimating severity under field and experimental conditions as part of the study of this patho-system.