LEGUMIXors CROPS. 



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Downy Mildbw^Peronosporo'jlrifiliorium De Bary). — In attacked plants the 

 stem and leaves are covered by 

 a thick greyish or violet-grey 

 downy layer. It often occurs 

 more profusely <>n the under 

 than the upper side of the 

 Leaves. The leaves attacked 

 are usually of a yellowish 

 colour, and their edges curl 

 downward and inwards to- 

 wards the mid-rib. Such 

 leaves fall quickly. The fun- 

 gus also attacks clovers. 



Patches of the field at- 

 tacked, should be at once 

 covered with straw and burnt 

 over to destroy all diseased 

 plants and fallen leaves. 

 When a crop is once infected 

 the disease spreads rapidly if 

 the weather remains warm and 



moist, whereas a spell of bright dry weather often stamps out the disease. 

 If the pest spreads, it is best to cut the crop before the leaves fall to the 

 ground. 



Crown Wart (Urophlyctis alfalfa) is characterised by galls occurring on 

 . the roots of the lucerne plant and on the stem close to the ground. It 

 results in the wilting and death of the plant. The disease is known to 

 remain in the soil when the lucerne plant decays owing to the resistant 

 nature of the fungus spores. It is a menace to the lucerne grower, but it is 

 not known to be widespread in the State though recorded once. When 

 detected the diseased plants should be dug out and burnt. The patch 

 affected should not be resown to lucerne. Care should be taken to see that 

 soil is not transported from the area affected. 



Lucerne Leaves showing Rust and Leaf-spot. 



Lucerne Stems showing Galls at the Ground Level. 



