Identifying and managing root rot of pulses on the northern Great Plains.

The severity and impact of root rot of pulse crops is increasing across the northern Great Plains of North America. The disease is caused by a complex of pathogens, and the principal causal agent is often difficult to identify based on symptoms. Also, many components of the complex are often present together on each plant in infested fields. The biology of the main pathogens in the complex, together with effective management options, are summarized. No strong sources of genetic resistance are available for any major component of the complex. For many pathogens, a cocktail of seed treatments, together with cropping rotation and timely, shallow seeding, produce effective disease reduction. However, damage caused by Aphanomyces euteiches on field pea and lentil is increasing and there is, at present, no effective management strategy.