Onion White Root Rot
Sclerotium cepivorum
Onionfungal
A persistent soilborne disease that can remain viable in soil for many years.
Symptoms
White fungal growth on roots and the basal plate studded with small black sclerotia, causing yellowing and collapse of plants.
Favorable conditions
- •Infested soil that can retain viable sclerotia for years
- •Continuous allium cropping without long rotation
Management
- 1Use a long crop rotation (6-8+ years) away from alliums
- 2Apply sclerotia germination stimulants ahead of a non-host crop
- 3Solarize soil where climate allows
- 4Avoid moving contaminated soil between fields
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