Alfalfa Diseases and Control Methods

Abstract

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), which is one of the most cultivated plants among the forage crops in our country and other developed countries, and known as the queen of forage crops, has attracted attention in recent years on organic agricultural production and sustainability of agricultural lands. Many factors cause pathogenic effects in alfalfa. These are non-parasitic agents, parasitic disease agents fungi, bacteria, viruses, mycoplasma-like organisms, nematodes, and parasitic plants. Among them, fungi constitute an important group (Graham et al. 1979). The importance of disease factors that can occur in such a beneficial plant, the diagnosis of these factors, and the necessary management of them on time are of great value for obtaining quality products and for the country's economy.