Alfalfa is on the minds of many when it comes to implementing it into a crop rotation. But it is also a key focus of researchers to determine its true value. Deborah Samac, Supervisory Research Geneticist  and Research Leader for the Plant Science Research Unit at the USDA Agricultural Research Service in Minnesota says there are diseases affecting being able to get alfalfa started.

“There’s a number of pathogens that we call oomycetes, als known as water molds that can swim in the water layer,” explains Samac. “But the disease causing the most problems is called aphanomyces root rot.”

Their current research is focused on identifying new pathogens causing problems as with each advance of uncovering potential problems and solving them, they also find new pathogens that are causing problems. 

Alfalfa is on the minds of many when it comes to implementing it into a crop rotation. But it is also a key focus of researchers to determine its true value. Deborah Samac, Supervisory Research Geneticist  and Research Leader for the Plant Science Research Unit at the USDA Agricultural Research Service in Minnesota says there are diseases affecting being able to get alfalfa started.
“There’s a number of pathogens that we call oomycetes, als known as water molds that can swim in the water layer,” explains Samac. “But the disease causing the most problems is called aphanomyces root rot.”
Their current research is focused on identifying new pathogens causing problems as with each advance of uncovering potential problems and solving them, they also find new pathogens that are causing problems.

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

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