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Published in Crop Sci 15:505-508 (1975)
© 1975 Crop Science Society of America
677 S. Segoe Rd., Madison, WI 53711 USA
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Performance of Anthracnose-resistant Alfalfa Strains1

T. E. Devine and J. E. McMurtrey, III2

Seven alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) strains, bred in the laboratory for resistance to anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum trifolii Bain, were evaluated for resistance and performance in field tests. The breeding procedure used was designed to maintain the original genetic background, while gene frequencies for resistance to specific diseases were increased. The original susceptible populations and then resistant derivatives were used as bioindicators to assay the contribution of anthracnose resistance to performance. All strains bred for resistance were highly resistant under a naturally occurring anthracnose epiphytotic in the field. Following development of the epiphytotic, anthracnose resistance greatly increased forage yield, competitiveness against weed encroachment, and stand persistence. A fixed quadrant procedure was devised to measure alfalfa stand persistence. Susceptibility to bacterial wilt [incited by Corynebacterium insidiosum (McCull.) H. L. Jens.] vitiated the effect of anthracnose resistance.

Key Words: Disease losses • Anthracnose bioindicator strains • Fixed quadrant • Persistence • Forage yield • Weeds • Medicago sativa L. • Colletotrichum trifolii Bain

1 Contribution from the Beltsville Agric. Res. Cen., ARS, USDA, Beltsville, MD 20705.

2 Research geneticist, plant nutr. lab., and agronomist (research assistant), field cross lab., respectively, Beltsville Agric. Res. Cen., ARS, USDA. Beltsville, MD 20705.

Received for publication June 25, 1974.




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