By Ben Beckman
If you’re planning to seed alfalfa this year, one of the most important decisions you’ll make happens before the planter ever rolls—and that’s variety selection. Disease resistance should be part of that decision, especially when it comes to Phytophthora root rot and anthracnose.
Start by thinking about the fields you’re planting. Heavier soils, poor drainage, or areas that stay wet after rains increase the risk of Phytophthora root rot. In new seedings, it can cause rapid seedling death under wet conditions. In established stands, it damages the taproot, leading to yield loss, thinning stands, and a higher risk of winterkill.
Now look at fields with a history of stem disease, frequent harvest traffic, or past stand decline. Those conditions increase the risk of anthracnose. This disease attacks stems and crowns, spreads easily through rain, wind, and harvesting equipment, and can significantly reduce production within a few growing seasons.
Multiple races of anthracnose are already causing problems in the Midwest. Races 1 and 2 have been present for years and remain common. A newer and more aggressive race 5 has yet to be lab-verified in Nebraska, but has been confirmed in neighboring states. Race 5 often shows up earlier in the life of a stand, adding another layer of risk.
Because alfalfa is a long-term investment, seed selection is your first—and best—line of defense. When ordering seed this year, look for varieties rated Resistant or Highly Resistant to anthracnose across multiple races, along with strong resistance to Phytophthora root rot. Matching disease resistance to field conditions now can help protect yield, stand life, and profitability for years to come.