Alfalfa Diseases in Ohio

Anthracnose

• Symptoms
  • diamond shaped stem lesions near base of stem
  • lesions have straw colored center with dark brown border
  • black specks may be within center of lesion
  • upper stem wilted, bleached out with shepherds crook symptom
• Environment
  • hot, rainy weather
• Survival
  • spores spread by splashing rain and harvesting equipment
• Management
  • resistant varieties
  • harvest infested fields last
  • disinfect cutter bar
• Scouting