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Preventing and Managing Dodder in Lucerne
Dodder has been impacting lucerne production since the 1950s. Prevention begins with certified seeds as the only way to eradicate it is by destroying the host plant.
Tips for preventing and managing dodder in lucerne
A parasitic plant named dodder has been impacting lucerne production since the 1950s. Its capacity to proliferate very quickly and the long life span of its seeds in the soil make it highly problematic for producers.
What is dodder?
- Dodder is a non-chlorophyll-producing parasitic weed.
- Dodder’s filaments have suckers which directly tap into lucerne’s nutrients.
- Dodder’s filaments grow quickly to form clusters in the fields. They form large circles in plots, which strangle the lucerne plants.
- A lot of other plants are sensitive to dodder: clover, beetroot, tomato, carrot, potato, but also some weeds, such as knotweed, nettle, Umbelliferae, feverfew…
There are two primary species of dodder that can interfere with lucerne:
- Cuscuta Campestris Yunck, also known as field dodder, which has orange filaments
- Cuscuta Epitymum L., also known as lesser dodder, which has stray-coloured yellow filaments
The fight against dodder starts by choosing certified seeds to avoid contamination. In the event that a cluster appears, it is important to rapidly apply chemicals in that area. Dodder can only be eradicated by destroying the host plant. As a precaution, application zones must overlap the cluster by two or three meters.
The fight against dodder starts by choosing certified seeds to avoid contamination.
MAS Seeds lucerne seeds are certified as having 0% dodder.
Biology of dodder
Germination:
- Seeds germinate at or just below the surface (0-10 mm).
- Field dodder germinates at optimal temperatures of 30°C. Lesser dodder germinates at optimal temperatures of 15-20°C.
- Germination can occur without a host plant => Life span of 10 days.
Rapid multiplication:
- The filaments grow quickly and spread rapidly over a few metres.
- First flowers appear four to six weeks after germination.
- Thousands of seeds ripen quickly (2000-3000 seeds per stem).
Seed longevity and spread:
- Dodder seeds can survive in the soil for a long time.
- Seeds can survive in the soil for up to 40 years under good conditions
- Agricultural machinery and crop production favour the dissemination of seeds across fields
- Farm seeds are the initial origin of dodder infestation.
- Stored seeds can be transported by water, animals, tillage or harvest machinery.
Dodder germination
Dodder flowering
More about lucerne
How to fight dodder?
Prevention – avoid introducing it in your field!
- Use clean tools to work the soil and for harvesting.
- Sow certified seeds, which are guaranteed not to contain dodder.
Treatment
- With early infestation, the only way to fight dodder is to destroy the host plant.
- Burn with straw or use a specific weedkiller (ask your technician for advice) a few meters around the dodder.
- If dodder has spread throughout the field, it is recommended to destroy the crop.
Controlling each stage of production
Quality certification
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Contact us
Our local teams visit farms and distributors on-site to give you the best advice for your location. Find your local MAS Seeds® consultant by visiting a country website or fill out our contact form here.
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