Common diseases in lucerne and how to prevent them
Several diseases can affect lucerne. Below we describe the most common diseases and how you can prevent them.
Several diseases can affect lucerne. Below we describe the most common diseases and how you can prevent them.
Leaf spot is a fungal disease in lucerne, and several types can be distinguished: common leaf spot, pepper leaf spot, downy mildew, rust etc. Usually leaf spot doesn’t cause serious economic losses, but it can lead to reduced growth and leaf losses. It appears most likely in warm, humid weather. When severe damage, the best measure is to harvest the crop. Quality might be lower.
Common leaf spot Pepper leaf spot Mildew
Wilt diseases are caused by pathogens (bacteria or fungi) that invade the vascular system of plants in warm seasons. This leads to plant wilting and usually dying. There are several wilt diseases:
Bacterial wilt Verticilium wilt
Anthracnose Sclerotinia Rhizoctonia
Nematodes or roundworms that feed on plants are commonly called eelworms. These tiny worms can seriously damage your crops. The plant responds to the parasitic worms with swelling, distorted growth, and dead areas. Nematodes can also carry viruses and bacterial diseases inject them into plants.