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Diseases of Alfalfa - Nematodes

 
 
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 Alfalfa Stem Nematode
Ditylenchus dipsaci

What to look for?
Significant damage occur in older stands but young seedlings may also be damaged primarily in irrigated areas. Stems swell and become discoloured and nodes are enlarged. Nematodes can penetrate developing buds and infest the seed. Note soil persistent herbicides may often be the cause of seedling damage.

Nematode injured alfalfa seedling. Nematode injured alfalfa seedling.
Photo: Huang		Picture description
Nematode injured alfalfa seedling.		 White flag symptoms of single alfalfa shoots. White flag symptoms of single alfalfa shoots.
Photo: Huang		Picture description
White flag symptoms of single alfalfa shoots infected by the alfalfa stem nematode.
. Nematodes (stained red) overwinter in the crown tissue. Nematodes (stained red) overwinter in the crown tissue.
Photo: Hawn		 Picture description
Nematodes (stained red) overwinter in the crown tissue.
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Management strategy
Resistant cultivars and crop rotation will give control.

Photographs and information assembled and prepared for ARD by Dr. Ieaun R. Evans Agri-Trend Agrology Ltd.		  
 
 
 

Other Documents in the Series

  
  Diseases of Alfalfa - Bacterial
 Diseases of Alfalfa - Fungal
Diseases of Alfalfa - Nematodes - Current Document
Diseases of Alfalfa - Non-Infectious
 Diseases of Alfalfa - Viral
  
 
 
 
For more information about the content of this document, contact Ron Howard.
This document is maintained by Shelley Barkley.
This information published to the web on December 18, 2003.
Last Reviewed/Revised on March 18, 2008.