The spring season started very wet, delaying much of the first crop alfalfa harvest. CROPLAN National Alfalfa Agronomist Randy Welch said forage quality was poor for the first crop. Disease pressure was also seen. Aphanomyces Root Rot was one issue. “That big word really means the alfalfa roots when they have this little disease problem the root hairs are nibbled off so you have less rhizobium activity and less nitrogen uptake.”In addition to aphanomyces, anthracnose is a disease that shortens the life of the alfalfa and reduces yield. Welch advises farmers to us alfalfa varieties that offer resistance to both anthracnose and aphanomyces. Click here to listen to the full interview.
