Alfalfa
Alfalfa is the oldest cultivated forage crop. It is the most important forage crop in Nebraska with every county in the state growing at least 1,000 acres. In the United States, Nebraska ranks first or second in alfalfa meal production. It ranks fourth to seventh in alfalfa hay production. Annually, approximately 1.4 million acres of alfalfa are harvested and 5 million tons of alfalfa hay and 150,000 tons of alfalfa meal are produced. In 2006, alfalfa hay production in the state was valued at $363 million.
Diseases are a major cause of yield loss in alfalfa production. Crown and root rots are the primary cause of progressive decline of established stands and seedling death in newly established stands. Crown and root rot pathogens include Phytophthora megasperma f. sp. medicaginis, Fusarium spp., Rhizoctonia spp., and Colletotrichum spp. Foliar diseases also can cause significant yield loss. They include spring black stem, summer black stem, common leaf spot, and Leptosphaerulina leaf spot. Crown and stem rot caused by Sclerotinia spp. also contributes to losses.
Agriculture Crops
