When crowns are affected, internal plant tissue becomes dark brown to black in color. Plant resistant varieties. Since this fungus survives on dead plant debris, clean all harvesting equipment before going from fields where anthracnose is present to fields where susceptible varieties are planted. Northern anthracnose occurs in the cooler regions where clover is grown and is favored by temperatures in the 68 degrees F to 77 degrees F range. Forage legumes in Alabama on which this disease occurs include red and crimson clover, subterranean, berseem, and, probably, white clovers.
Crop losses can be heavy.
Seed production can be reduced significantly during a severe disease outbreak. All above-ground portions of the plant are subject to attack from the Kabatiella caulivora pathogen. Petioles and stems are frequent sites of infection. Dark brown, elongate lesions develop, often girdling the stem and causing wilting, drying, and breaking of the stem. No setae occur in lesions, as is common with southern anthracnose.