02721nam a2200169 a 450000100080000000500110000800800410001902200140006010000150007424501160008926000680020552021650027365000270243865300370246565300360250265300130253810337172021-07-06       2007    bl uuuu     u01u1 u    #d  a1510-78091 aALTIER, N.  aDiseases of forage legumesbadvances and prospects of research on management strategies.h[electronic resource]  aLotus Newsletter, 2007, Volume 37, Issue 3, pages 106-107c2007  aAbstract: Forage legumes are essential for an efficient animal-based agriculture. They provide high quality feed for livestock and are a key component for sustainability of crop-pasture rotations. Diseases are a major cause of weakened establishment, premature stand decline and reduced productivity in most temperate forage legumes. The perennial strategy of crown-forming species like alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), relies on the success of individual plants to develop and  maintain a healthy crown and root system along the stand life. The interaction of diverse biotic and abiotic factors does likely produce a cumulative stress load and pose a threat to the long-term performance of forage legumes. My research program is focused on developing  management strategies for minimizing the impact of diseases on forage legume establishment, production and persistence. Current research explores the biological control of Pythium seedling diseases using native fluorescent Pseudomonas (Bajsa et al., 2005; Pérez et al., 2001). Several strains with enhanced disease suppressing and plant growth promoting abilities have been selected to develop bacterial inoculants (De La Fuente et al., 2002; Quagliotto et al., 2004; Yanes et al., 2005). I work in close collaboration with the breeding programs in the development of new varieties with improved disease resistance (Altier et al., 2000; Real and Altier, 2005). My research facilitates the development of new techniques and standardized tests to characterize germplasm and to assist in the identification of host plant resistance (Altier and Thies, 1995). Other projects involve interdisciplinary approaches to understand the ecology of forage legume microbes and  disease epidemiology as influenced by agricultural and crop management practices (Altier, 2003; Bao et al., 2005). Results of research on Fusarium crown and root disease complex have been recently reported (Altier and Groth, 2005; Altier and Kinkel, 2005). This  knowledge is essential to establish the basis for efficient and durable means of disease management.  aLEGUMINOSAS FORRAJERAS  aENFERMEDADES CAUSADAS POR HONGOS  aENFERMEDADES DE LAS LEGUMINOSAS  aFUSARIUM