Effects of solar heating for control of pink root and other soil-borne diseases of onions

Abstract

These experiments were carried out to examine efficacy of soil solarization for control of pink root disease by means of mulching with transparent polyethylene sheets in the hot season. The effects of soil solarization on incidence of pink-root disease caused by Pyreno-chaeta terrestris and on onion growth and on populations of soil fungi were investigated. Solarization was dramatically effective in reducing pink root incidence in onion seedling and harvested onion bulb. A 30-day and 40-day solarization treatment significantly improved seedling survival and increased yield of 'Changnyeong-deago' onion while decreasing incidence of pink root. Populations of soil fungi from fields planted to onion were assayed on selective media. Solarization treatment was effective in reducing populations of P. terrestris, Pythium spp., and Rhizoctonia sp. in soil. Increase of yield of onion bulbs was associated with control of soil-borne pathogenic fungi. Soil solarization had beneficial effects on yield, bulb diameter, or incidence of pink root. © The Korean Society of Plant Pathology.