Pink root rot
Pathogen: Phoma terrestris (syn. Pyrenochaeta terrestris)
Symptoms
The disease may appear either in young seedlings or later in the onion's growth. Infected roots turn yellow, then pinkish, then bright pink to red and finally to dark purple as they dry and disintegrate. New roots produced thereafter become diseased and also die.
Disease development
Fungus can survive in the soil, in diseased roots and the debris of susceptible crops for several years. The fungus can be spread through soil movement and in irrigation water. This disease can develop at all soil moisture levels that allow onion growth. Optimum temperatures for growth of the pathogen and disease development are 24-28°C.
Disease management
Resistance to the pathogen varies among cultivars, thus resistant cultivars should be planted when possible. Resistance may be overcome if soil temperatures of 28°C (82°F) or higher occur. Planting so the bulk of the root growth occurs prior to reaching soil temperatures that favor disease development can minimize severe losses from this disease. Long term rotation (4-6 years) with non-host crops, such as cereals, helps reduce losses. Also, soil solarization or fumigation can help to reduce pink root and increase marketable bulbs.
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