DISEASES OF ALTERNATIVE CROPS IN MISSOURI

From 1990 through 1992, more than 40 plant species growing in experime ntal field plots in central Missouri were examined as potential altern ative crops. Plots were examined weekly to detect and identify disease s that could potentially limit production. New host-pathogen combinati ons were discovered and several diseases were detected that have not b een noted before in North America, including Pythium palingenes infect ing roots of buckwheat; Phytophthora nicotianae var. parasitica infect ing roots of flax; and Erysiphe cichoracearum var. cichoracearum causi ng powdery mildew of niger. Early detection of potentially important d iseases will facilitate the development of control and management stra tegies to minimize their importance.