First Report of the Root-Knot Nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) on Birdsfoot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) in the Southern United States

Abstract

Lotus corniculatus L. (birdsfoot trefoil) is a perennial herbaceous forage plant grown for hay as an alternative to alfalfa on poor soils. A NIFA grant (No. 2013-67013-21408) was awarded to Auburn University to breed a birdsfoot trefoil cultivar to extend the forage’s geographic adaptation across the United States. As part of this project, birdsfoot trefoil cultivars and breeding lines were observed indicating a potential problem at the Plant Breeding Unit of the Auburn University in Tallassee, AL (32.49073 latitude and -85.88717 longitude). Birdsfoot trefoil plants, which were six months old, exhibited stunting, foliar symptoms including chlorosis and marginal leaf necrosis with root symptoms including galling of the tap and fine lateral roots. Galls varied in number and size (1-3 mm dia) and tended to coalesce along the length of the root covering over 50% of the root tissue. Symptomatic plants were collected and root systems exhibiting numerous galls, typical of Meloidogyne infection were subjected to ...