Crown and Root Fungal Diseases of Alfalfa in Egypt. H. I. Seif El-Nasr, Research Plant Pathologist, Plant Protection Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt. K. T. Leath, Research Plant Pathologist, U.S. Regional Pasture Research Laboratory, University Park, PA 16802. Plant Dis. 67:509-511. Accepted for publication 4 October 1982. 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-67-509.

A 3-yr survey was made of crown and root diseases of alfalfa in several regions of Egypt. Incidence of disease was highest in southern Egypt in the main production areas of New Valley and Esna. Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium spp. were the most common fungi isolated. No pathogenic fungi were isolated from plants growing in the high soil salinity area of Siwa Oasis in the western desert. Root diseases increased with age of stand and rots were more common than wilts. The known alfalfa pathogens R. solani, Sclerotium bataticola, F. oxysporum, and F. semitectum were identified. F. fusarioides and F. equiseti were recorded for the first time on alfalfa anywhere and F. acuminatum for the first time in Egypt.

Keyword(s): Medicago sativa, Pythium.