Effects of pathogen presence on the seed quality of different alfalfa cultivar

Abstract

Owing to its characteristics, alfalfa(Medicago sativaL.) is the most important forageplant inour country.The great importanceof alfalfais reflectedin the production ofhigh-qualityfodder and alfalfaseeds, whichare a valuableandcompetitivecommodity on domesticand foreign markets. In this study, the presence of plant pathogenic genera of fungi on the seeds of five different alfalfa cultivars was investigated (Kruševačka 28, NS-Mediana, Zaječarska 83, Banjalučanka i Osječka-66) from three different lots (sites) of each cultivar. The detectedphytopathogenic fungion the alfalfa seeds caused a decrease in the overall germination, butthe present research results indicate a satisfactoryhealth statusof all alfalfacultivars and seed lots.