Damping off
Crop: Onion Disease: Fungal Pathogen: Fusarium species, Pythium species and Rhizoctonia solani
SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS
DISEASE DEVELOPMENT
DISEASE MANAGEMENT
- The fungus may cause both pre- and post-emergence damping-off. Roots are invaded and eventually turn dark red or black as they decay. Seedlings are unthrifty and stunted, eventually turn yellow, wilt and die.
- Post-emergence damping off – The pathogen attacks the collar region of seedlings on the surface of soil. The collar portion rots and ultimately the seedlings collapse and die.
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Seeds water-soaked, mushy and decomposing; infected roots are gray and water-soaked; seedlings that have already emerged prior to infection collapse and die; older plants that become infected become severely stunted.