Onion Fusarium Basal Rot

Fusarium basal rot [Credit: Howard F. Schwartz, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org]

Fusarium basal rot [Credit: Howard F. Schwartz, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org]

Fusarium basal rot [Credit: Howard F. Schwartz, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org]

Fusarium basal rot [Credit: Howard F. Schwartz, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org]

Host Plants:

On Crops: Onions

Where Found:

Mostly in warm, humid climates

Description:

Onion plants begin yellowing at the leaf tips, and gradually die back until only the neck remains. If you pull up an affected plant, many small roots will be missing, and those present may be brown and rotted or pink. Just above the roots, the base of the onion will appear corky. This disease is most common in summer when soil temperatures are above 27C (80F). Plants that have been damaged by onion root fly maggots often become infected, because the fungi can enter onion roots easily through the feeding wounds.

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