alfalfa disease symptoms
Establishing a Healthier Crop: 1  Rotate alfalfa with annual crops, especially cereals, to reduce levels of disease inoculum. 2  Thoroughly clean equipment prior to seeding. 3  Choose moderate to high disease resistant cultivars.  Use certified 1  seed. Plant alfalfa seed in well drained soils. Knowledge of the conditions that promote pest buildup and the ability to recognize the symptoms of. each major pathogen, insect, or nematode is a substantial tool in being successful in alfalfa hay. production. Key Words: alfalfa, plant pathology, disease control, insect control, nematode control, alfalfa. pests, alfalfa insects, alfalfa diseases, alfalfa nematodes. INTRODUCTION. From the time alfalfa was first introduced into North America by immigrants there has been a. progressive effort to improve its performance. Back to Alfalfa Diseases Alfalfa Diseases Images. Diseases can be a limiting factor in alfalfa production. In both hay and seed production, diseases can cause serious losses in yield, quality, and stand persistence. Death of plants is sometimes quick and obvious, but more often plant-kill by diseases is not so obvious. Seedlings: this disease is most damaging and readily diagnosed on seedlings. 1  Infected seedlings usually develop yellow cotyledons, wilt, and turn yellow with a purple tint. 2  Infected seedlings tend to be stunted and remain upright until severe chlorosis occurs prior to plant death and collapse. Table 2: Resistant Varieties. Introduction. Plant diseases can affect both the quality and yield in alfalfa. Disease problems can be separated into three major categories based on symptoms and effects: those that affect stand establishment and reduce persistence, those that cause root rot and stem blights, and those that cause leaf spots. Disease Management: 1  Plant alfalfa cultivars with resistance to Aphanomyces root rot. Most cultivars are resistant only to race 1, but a few cultivars with resistance to race 2 are available in some areas. 2  Avoid slowly drained fields and fields with a history of root rot or difficulties with seedling establishment. iseases can cause major yield reduction in alfalfa and. reduce the feeding value of the forage. Leaves, stems, roots, and crown can be affected (Table 10.1). Often. the influence of diseases goes unrecognized, particularly root. diseases, as symptoms can be subtle or mistaken for some-. thing other than disease, and pathogens can be hard to detect. Pathogens that cause alfalfa diseases include fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes. Management of Diseases of Alfalfa Seed. One of the major threats to the alfalfa seed industry is yield and quality loss due to disease. Detection and identification of disease problems are essential for managing the impact of diseases on alfalfa seed production. Disease Management: 1  Plant alfalfa cultivars with resistance to Aphanomyces root rot. 2  Avoid slowly drained fields and fields with a history of root rot or difficulties with seedling establishment. 3  Fields should be selected and managed to ensure good drainage of surface and subsurface water. Alfalfa Diseases. Alfalfa in Oklahoma is subject to many different disease organisms. Even in the driest areas of the state, diseases attack alfalfa and reduce yield, stand longevity, and sometimes forage quality. A few diseases are restricted to areas with high rainfall.
Alfalfa disease cause serious losses in yield, quality, and stand persistence.