Life Sciences Commons^™

Isolation And Characterization Of Pythium Spp. From South Dakota Soils Under Commerial Alfalfa Production, Jennifer M. Giles, Andrew E. Sathoff

Research & Publications

Alfalfa is a significant crop in South Dakota that provides many different benefits for its growers. South Dakota plants the most acres of alfalfa in the United States. It is used as a protein-rich feed for livestock, a cover crop that protects against soil erosion, and a natural fertilizer because of its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil. However, alfalfa seedlings are susceptible to many diseases. Pythium root and seed rot is one disease known to have devastating effects on alfalfa field establishment and yield. Pythium species are oomycete pathogens that inhabit the soil and remain present and pathogenic …