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Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. alfalfae (bacterial alfalfa leaf spot )
Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. alfalfae
bacterial alfalfa leaf spot
Bacterium alfalfae, Phytomonas alfalfae, Pseudomonas alfalfae, Xanthomonas alfalfae, Xanthomonas campestris pv. alfalfae, Xanthomonas phaseoli f.sp. alfalfae, Xanthomonas euvesicatoria pv. alfalfae
Africa: Egypt, Sudan; Asia: Georgia, India, Syria; Europe: Romania; North America: El Salvador, USA; Oceania: Australia.
FL, IA, KS, MD, WI
2025-10-08
bacterium
Sudan
Main: lucerne/alfalfa, in nature. Several other legumes are infected by artificial inoculation including Medicago truncatula, Medicago esculenta, Trifolium incartum, Lablab purpureus, Melilotus indica, Phaseolus vulgaris, Pisum sativum, Vicia benghalensis and Vigna mungo.
XANTAL
Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. alfalfae causes leaf spot, damping-off, and stunting in alfalfa, the only known natural host. There is no evidence that alfalfa seed transmits the pathogen. In the field, it spreads primarily via wind-blown soil and plant debris, and disease development is favored by warm, moist conditions.
1 Known Hosts
Medicago sativa
alfalfa
No
XANTAL-2, XANTAL-3, XANTAL-4, XANTAL-5, XANTAL-6, XANTAL-7
Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. alfalfae infects alfalfa, causing leaf spot, damping-off, and stunting. It is not transmitted by seed, but the pathogen can survive for several years in hay or plant debris, allowing it to be transported to new areas. In the field, it spreads primarily via wind-blown soil and contaminated debris, with disease favored by warm, moist conditions.
biological, cultural
Use clean seed, remove infected debris, avoid spreading soil, and minimize leaf wetness; plant resistant varieties if available.
CABI CPC
2025-10-08 11:17:30
XANTAL-2
Claflin, L. E.; Stuteville, D. L. 1973. Survival of Xanthomonas alfalfae in alfalfa debris and soil. Plant Disease Reporter 57:52-53
XANTAL-3
Graham, J. H., Frosheiser, F. I., Stuteville, D. L., and Erwin, D. C. 1979. A Compendium of Alfalfa Diseases. The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN.
XANTAL-4
Moffett, M.L. and Irwin, J.A.G., 1975. Bacterial leaf and stem spot (Xanthomonas alfalfae) of lucerne in Queensland. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 15(73), pp.223-226.
XANTAL-5
Stuteville, D.L. and Sorensen, E.L., 1966. Distribution of leaf spot and damping-off (Xanthomonas alfalfae) of alfalfa in Kansas, and new hosts. Plant Disease Reporter, 50(10), p.731-734.
XANTAL-6
Yaripour, N., et al. (2018). Host range and phylogenetic analysis of Xanthomonas alfalfae. European Journal of Plant Pathology, 150, 345–356.
XANTAL-7
Riker, A. J., et al. (1935). Leaf spot disease of alfalfa caused by Xanthomonas alfalfae. Journal of Agricultural Research, 50, 123–145.
CABI CPC
Crop Protection Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. www.cabi.org/cpc.
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