Publication Date

1985

Location

Kyoto Japan

Description

The importance of diseases as major constraints to pasture legume adaptation in the major ecosystems of the tropical American lowlands is discussed. From 1979 to 1984, diseases were systematically and periodically monitored on species of more than 15 tropical pasture legume genera at 134 sites in more than eight countries. Thirty different diseases were detected and identified, including 24 fungal genera, two bacterial and two nematodal genera, one mycoplasma and several viruses. Most pathogens were causal agents of foliage diseases with potential to cause direct losses in forage yield. On the basis of spatial and temporal distribution and severity, nine diseases were considered most important. These were: anthracnose of Stylosanthes; Cercospora leaf spot and Rhizoctonia foliar blight of Centrosema; Sphaceloma scab, Drechslera leaf spot and leaf roll virus of Zamia; and stem gall nematode, Synchytrium false-rust and little leaf mycoplasma of Desmodium. Species-ecosystem interactions for the above diseases are discussed. The importance of multi-locational screening and collaboration of plant pathologists and agronomists through the International Tropical Pasture Evaluation Network, RIEPT is essential to the further monitoring of diseases and to selection of adapted, productive tropical forage legume germplasm.

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Importance of Diseases as Constraints to Pasture Legume Adaptation in the Tropical American Lowlands

Kyoto Japan

The importance of diseases as major constraints to pasture legume adaptation in the major ecosystems of the tropical American lowlands is discussed. From 1979 to 1984, diseases were systematically and periodically monitored on species of more than 15 tropical pasture legume genera at 134 sites in more than eight countries. Thirty different diseases were detected and identified, including 24 fungal genera, two bacterial and two nematodal genera, one mycoplasma and several viruses. Most pathogens were causal agents of foliage diseases with potential to cause direct losses in forage yield. On the basis of spatial and temporal distribution and severity, nine diseases were considered most important. These were: anthracnose of Stylosanthes; Cercospora leaf spot and Rhizoctonia foliar blight of Centrosema; Sphaceloma scab, Drechslera leaf spot and leaf roll virus of Zamia; and stem gall nematode, Synchytrium false-rust and little leaf mycoplasma of Desmodium. Species-ecosystem interactions for the above diseases are discussed. The importance of multi-locational screening and collaboration of plant pathologists and agronomists through the International Tropical Pasture Evaluation Network, RIEPT is essential to the further monitoring of diseases and to selection of adapted, productive tropical forage legume germplasm.