Yellow Leaf Blotch
Symptoms:
- Lesions begin as small yellow spots on leaves
- Spots expand to yellow streaks and blotches, become turn orange-yellow in color, and spread into a fan-shape bordered by leaf veins
- Lesions change from yellow to dark brown in color as they age
- Forage yield losses of 40% have been reported due to yellow leaf blotch
Pathogen Involved:
- Leptotrochila medicaginis (a fungus)
Time of Occurrence:
- Spring and autumn
Conditions Favoring Disease:
- Cool temperatures along with prolonged wet conditions
- Also favored by lush growth and a thick nurse crop
Disease Management:
- Forage should be harvested early to minimize loss of infected leaves
- Resistant cultivars are not available