CROP SCENE INVESTIGATION – 26 SOLVED: What’s ailing Art’s alfalfa?

Art’s yellow, stunted alfalfa was suffering from aphanomyces root rot.

This investigation was first published back in May 2010. Despite some editorial nudging in subsequent months, no one solved the mystery – until recently!

Similar to phytophthora root rot, aphanomyces is considered a major cause of disease in alfalfa seedlings, particularly in wet soil conditions. But, while there are seed treatments available to protect seed against phytophthora and other soil-borne diseases, no seed treatment product offers protection against aphanomyces.

Better Farming - February 2011