Indian Journal of Ecology

Alfalfa or lucerne, Medicago sativa, is one of the important legumes grown as a fodder crop providing feed hay with valuable nutrients. It is the principal source of fibre and protein in animal diets, thus plays an important role in the dairy industry. Alfalfa can significantly accumulate nitrogen by its deep rooting system and fix atmospheric nitrogen by biological fixation. Alfalfa plant stand covers the soil to minimize erosion by water or wind. Also grown as a rotational crop, Alfalfa provides the soil with nutrients and organic matter and the foliage acts as soil manure. Alfalfa is produced in several countries such as the USA,Australia, Europe and the Middle East. Pests, including insects, diseases, and nematodes, affect alfalfa hay productivity, considerably reducing yield, plant stand life, and fodder quality. Alfalfa is subjected to several infectious diseases causing severe menace, that can limit forage production, decline the fodder quality and restrict stand persistence. Many times, they cause sudden stand loss, delayed regrowth after cutting, ultimately stunted alfalfa stand. Managing the diseases is an important aspect of economical alfalfa production. A thorough understanding of the disease status, their seasonal incidence, damage symptoms and management strategies is an important tool in effective alfalfa fodder production. The current review highlights the different types of diseases caused by diverse pathogens infesting alfalfa crop, the symptoms of their infestation and managing the diseases organically in an environmentally safe manner.