On bacterial wilt of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) caused by Corynebacterium insidiosum (McCull.) Jensen,in Italy

Bacterial wilt of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) caused by Corynebacterium insidiosum (McCull) Jensen was unknown in Italy until 1957. The authors established in that year in the province of Bologna this dangerous disease in 2–3 year-old stands of alfalfa which appeared uniformly and extensively thinned.They started a breeding programme with the use of bacterial wilt resistant material from the U.S.A., while also studies on methods of testing for resistance under Italian conditions are in progress.