Potato Leafhopper Damage to Alfalfa

Potato Leafhopper Damage to Alfalfa by D.B. Hogg1, J.L. Wedbery1, D.J. Undersander2, and K.G. Silveira2 The potato leafhopper (PLH) is perhaps the most serious insect pest of alfalfa in Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest.   This leafhopper is a native species but is not able to survive northern winters, and adults migrate into the Midwest each spring.  Leafhopper populations […]

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An Update on Potato Leafhopper Resistance in Alfalfa

An Update on Potato Leafhopper Resistance in Alfalfa by Mark McCaslin and Dave Whalen Forage Genetics Commercial alfalfa breeders have been very successful incorporating multiple pest resistance into high yielding cultivars. Recently released alfalfa varieties often express high levels of resistance to many diseases, insects and nematodes. However, until recently breeders were unsuccessful in incorporating resistance to […]

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Disease Profile: Damping Off and Root Rot Caused by Phytophthora and Pythium

Disease Profile: Damping Off and Root Rot Caused by Phytophthora and Pythium by Carl Groves and Damon Smith Pythiums are probably the most common cause of seedling blight and seed rot in alfalfa, destroying seeds before germination or killing seedlings after emergence. Phytophthora medicaginis can affect alfalfa plants at all stages of development and is probably the most […]

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Cut, Bale, Scout!

Scouting for Leafhoppers Weekly Scouting – 20 sweeps at 5 locations in each alfalfa field. Because leafhopper population densities vary from year to year and from field to field, the only way to accurately determine damage potential is by monitoring fields on a weekly schedule. Start scouting 5-7 days after first cut. Use a standard […]

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