Aphanomyces euteiches, a possible cause of poor lucerne establishment in the Lockyer Valley, Queensland

Abstract

Aphanomyces euteiches isolates were were recovered from Lockyer Valley, Queensland soils using pea and lucerne as baits. The isolates showed high levels of virulence on both pea and lucerne, and were mildly virulent on bean and chickpea. A range of disease reactions were observed when lucerne cultivars inoculated with A. euteiches. CUF-101 was the most resistant line, and cvv. Hunter River and Trifecta were the most susceptible. Further work is warranted to determine the role of A. euteiches as a factor in the poor establishment of Phytoplithora root rot resistant lucerne cultivars in Queensland.