Diseases

Bacterial Diseases of Alfalfa

Medicago sativa L.

A complex of bacterial diseases of alfalfa, including bacterial wilt, stem blight, leaf spot, and stunting, caused by specific pathogens that lead to systemic tissue damage and reduced productivity.

In the reference 22 varieties crop Alfalfa, where this is mentioned in the description.

Major bacterial pathogens of alfalfa include Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. insidiosus, which causes systemic wilt, Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae, which triggers stem blight, as well as Xanthomonas campestris pv. alfalfae, Erwinia chrysanthemi pv. chrysanthemi, and Xylella fastidiosa.

Symptoms of bacterial wilt manifest as curling and yellowing of leaves, stunting of plants, and yellow-brown discoloration of the root vascular ring. In the case of bacterial blight, water-soaked lesions and characteristic bacterial exudate form on stems and leaves.

Genetic resistance of alfalfa to bacterial diseases is regulated by complex mechanisms involving the CC-NBS-LRR gene family and WRKY transcription factors. The presence of resistance gene homologs, such as Xa21 and Rpg1-b, is also noted, although breeding is primarily based on the evaluation of phenotypic resistance.

General information about the subject — on the page Bacterial diseases.

Sources8

Varieties of Alfalfa mentioned in the description

Selection based on the description text, not on official evaluation: these data are absent from registers. For specific variety details, please refer to its profile.