Flooding or Excess Moisture and High Temperatures in Alfalfa
Symptoms of flooding or excess moisture occurring simultaneously with high temperatures (≥102℉) in alfalfa include leaf fading and wilting, rotting of roots, internal discoloration of roots, and plant death. This alfalfa disorder is also known as scald. Higher temperatures result in plant injury more quickly than lower temperatures in flooded soil. Susceptibility increases for portions of an alfalfa field that experience traffic injury or fields immediately after harvest. Phytophthora root rot symptoms in alfalfa can appear similar to injury caused by simultaneous flooding and high temperatures.
Alfalfa field with symptoms of high temperature flooding.
Deborah Samac
High temperature flooding alfalfa root injury.
Deborah Samac
Management includes scheduling irrigation for periods of time with lower temperatures or ensuring soil saturation occurs for less than 4 hours at a time. Do not submerge small plants post-harvest.
Prepared by the Alfalfa Pest Management Working Group.
High temperature flooding in alfalfa field. Deborah Samac.
High temperature flooding root injury. Deborah Samac.
Gallery images courtesy Deborah Samac.
This publication was developed by the Crop Protection Network, a multi-state and international collaboration of university/provincial extension specialists and public/ private professionals that provides unbiased, research-based information to farmers and agricultural personnel. This information in this publication is only a guide, and the authors assume no liability for practices implemented based on this information. Reference to products in this publication is not intended to be an endorsement to the exclusion of others that may be similar. Individuals using such products assume responsibility for their use in accordance with current directions of the manufacturer.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
©2024 by the Crop Protection Network. All rights reserved.
