The most important diseases in forage legumes in Serbia

Abstract

Lucerne (Medicago sativa L.), red and white clover (Trifolium pratense L., T. repens L.), field pea (Pisum sativum L.), common and hungarian vetch (Vicia sativa L., V. pannonica Crantz.) are the most important forage legumes in Serbia. They are used for making hay, silage, green forage and dried grain of field pea (like supplement for concentrate use). Areas under the forage legumes in the world are expressed in millions of hectares, which are constantly increasing. Forage legumes have occupied an important place in the agricultural production in Serbia over the last ten years. Diseases appearance is increasing with expansion of legumes cultivated areas. Different pathogens can be hazardous in favorable climatic conditions, and some of them can even appear in epiphytotic ratio. The most frequent diseases which were registered almost every year in Serbia at lucerne, clover, field pea and vetch are: Pseudopeziza medicaginis (Common leaf spot), Uromyces striatus (Rust of alfalfa), Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. medicaginis (Fusarium wilt), Verticillium albo-atrum (Verticilium wilt), Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV), Pseudopeziza trifolii (Common leaf spot), Erysiphe trifolii (Powdery mildew), Uromyces trifolii (Rust), Cuscuta sp. (Dodder) Erysiphe pisi (Powdery mildew), Peronospora viciae (Downy mildew of peas), Ascochyta pisi (Ascochyta blight of peas), Uromyces pisi (Rust of pea). Good pest management considers: growing resistant varieties, usege of certified seed, good agricultural practices and chemical control of pathogens.