“…Consequently, infec tion significantly reduces the growth, yield, and longevity of alfalfa stands (24). Several plant-pathogenic fungi have been isolated from rotted root and crown tissues; the most frequently isolated belonging to the genus Fusarium (4,5,9,16,18,25), although other genera, including Phoma (1,16), Pythium (5,16), Rhizoctonia (8,(14)(15)(16)30), and Thielaviopsis (3), have also been reported. How ever, despite these numerous reports, a detailed understanding of the fungi responsible for the crown and root rot complex has yet to Corresponding author: Zhibiao Nan, E-mail: zhibiao@lzu.edu.cn Accepted for publication 20 June 2014. http://dx.doi.Org/10.1094/PDIS-10-13-1048-RE ©2015 The American Phytopathological Society be confirmed.…”