MANAGING THE MAJOR ALFALFA DISEASES

Limiting the potential economic damage of alfalfa diseases to a production field are normally accomplished by a combination of two factors; genetics and cultural practices. Chemical control is generally considered uneconomical for disease control in alfalfa with the exception of seed treatments that limit damping off problems under abnormally wet planting conditions. Selecting an adapted variety that has genetic resistance to the major diseases, combined with proper cultural practices that limit disease infection are the growers best defense to the major alfalfa diseases.