Integrated pest management in forage alfalfa

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Alfalfa, Medicago sativa L., is among the most prized of forages, and is grown worldwide as a feed for all classes of livestock. It is one of man's oldest crops, and its cultivation probably predates recorded history. In addition to its versatility as a feed, alfalfa is well known for its ability to improve soil structure and, as a legume, is an effective source of biological nitrogen. As a perennial crop, alfalfa has a lifespan approaching 5 years, but in some areas of the world fields may remain productive for considerably longer. Such a long stand life affords ample time for the establishment and development of a diverse community structure by an abundance of organisms. In spite of system perturbations caused by frequent harvests and occasional pesticide applications, an alfalfa field provides a temporal stability which is uncommon among field crops. As a result of this stability, alfalfa supports an immense diversity of flora and fauna which, at times, exceeds that of riparian ecosystems. While most of alfalfa's inhabitants have little or no impact on it as a crop, a few are capable of causing extensive damage. Arthropods, plant pathogens, weeds, vertebrates, and plant parasitic nematodes can all cause significant yield and/or quality reductions and frequently contribute to shortening the productive life of the stand. This paper reviews the major strategies which have been developed to manage many of these alfalfa pests including: host plant resistance; cultural controls, such as harvest strategies, irrigation management, sanitation, planting schedules, and crop rotation; mechanical and physical controls; chemical control; and biological controls. Multiple pest interactions, e.g. insect-insect; insect-disease; insect-weed, and their management are discussed. Potential conflicts arising from the use of strategies which may reduce one pest but exacerbate others are also examined. A cross index of management strategies and their role in managing multiple pests is provided. Computer models, both ecological and economic, and their role in alfalfa pest management are discussed. Selected information sources on alfalfa and alfalfa IPM available over the Internet are listed. Alfalfa's role in the agricultural landscape, as it relates to pests, natural enemies, and pest management in other cropping systems as well as its role in crop rotation, is considered.