Myrothecium roridum and M. verrucaria Pathogenic to Roots of Red Clover and Alfalfa. K. T. Leath, U.S. Regional Pasture Research Laboratory, University Park, PA 16802. W. A. Kendall, U.S. Regional Pasture Research Laboratory, University Park, PA 16802. Plant Dis. 67:1154-1155. Accepted for publication 17 June 1983. This article is in the public domain and not copyrightable. It may be freely reprinted with customary crediting of the source. The American Phytopathological Society, 1983. DOI: 10.1094/PD-67-1154.

Myrothecium roridum and M. verrucaria were associated with rot sites on roots of field-grown red clover and alfalfa. Both species of Myrothecium caused root rot of red clover and alfalfa in controlled inoculations with or without wounding. No differences in cultivar responses were detected. Chlorosis, purpling of leaflet margins, and death of leaves and petioles occurred on inoculated plants but Myrothecium spp. could only be recovered from diseased roots. These fungi should be considered as additional causal agents in the root-rot complex of red clover and alfalfa.

Keyword(s): Medicago sativa.