Be familiar with root rot diseases of alfalfa

Knowledge of alfalfa diseases can help explain stand loss and steer you toward the right disease-resistant variety.

Major losses to alfalfa stands can sometimes be attributed to plant disease. There are more than 12 diseases of alfalfa. They can be grouped into two categories: stem/crown/root diseases and foliage diseases. The stem and root rot diseases are the most serious. Plant breeders have incorporated disease resistance into modern alfalfa varieties, mostly eliminating the problems of bacterial wilt and fusarium wilt. However, phytophthora root rot, anthracnose and sometimes verticillium wilt can be problems under the right conditions. Researchers in Minnesota and Wisconsin have identified Aphanomyces root rot (race 2) and brown root rot as “emerging” alfalfa root diseases in their states.

Here is a brief description of the important alfalfa root rot diseases.

Phytophthora root rot

Phytophthora root is a fungal disease that causes loss of stand on heavy or poorly drained soils. The disease pathogen is activated under wet soil conditions and may attack both seedlings and older plants. Dark brown decayed areas on the tap root 2 to 3 inches below the soil surface are early indicators. One- to two-month-old seedlings are most vulnerable. Seed treatment on resistant varieties can improve stand development. However, treating a susceptible variety, such as Vernal, is probably not helpful.

Aphanomyces root rot

Resistant varieties have been available for many years. However, reports in Wisconsin and Minnesota of Aphanomyces disease in alfalfa have become more frequent in recent years, possibly due to the emergence of a “race 2” strain of the disease. The pathogen can apparently persist in soil or in other plants for long periods of time. Seedlings may die (damping off) at an early stage of development. Older seedlings are yellow and stunted; when Aphanomyces and Phytophthora occur together, the problem is much worse.

Brown root rot

In 2003, brown root rot of alfalfa was reported for the first time in Wisconsin and Minnesota. The disease has probably been present for much longer, but not recognized. The fungus is slow-growing and prefers cool soil temperatures (less than 60°F). Symptoms may not become visible until after the third winter due to slow disease development. The fungus rots plant roots mostly in spring and fall and can severely weaken plants and contribute to winter kill. Stunted and dead plants appear in two- to three-year-old stands with brown sunken lesions on taproots. Infected plants may start to grow in the spring, then stop growing and die because the tap root has rotted off. The fungus also causes disease in other perennial forage legumes and winter wheat.

For more details on alfalfa root health, read “Alfalfa Root Health and Disease Management: A Foundation for Maximizing Production Potential and Stand Life” by the University of Minnesota Extension.

For information on selecting disease resistant alfalfa varieties for Michigan, see Michigan State University Extension Bulletin E-2787, Perennial Legume and Grass Forage Variety Selection for Michigan.

For the Wisconsin information including Aphanomyces resistance, see Forage Variety Update for Wisconson: 2009 Trial Results by the University of Wisconsin Extension.

See the second article of this series, "Gain knowledge on stem diseases of alfalfa" for more information on certain stem diseases, and the third, "A closer look at leaf diseases of alfalfa," for more information on leaf diseases.

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