Pink Root Disease: Understanding the Causes, Symptoms and Prevention (EN)

Root disease is a common problem that affects plants, and pink root disease is one of the most serious cases. It is caused by a fungus that attacks the roots of the plant, leading to stunted growth, wilting, and eventual death. In this article, we will discuss the causes, symptoms, and prevention of pink root disease.

What is Pink Root Disease?

Pink root disease is a fungal infection that affects the roots of various types of plants, including onions, shallots, garlic, leeks, chives, and scallions. The fungus invades the plant's root system and causes it to turn pink or reddish-brown in color, hence the name "pink root."

Causes of Pink Root Disease

The main cause of pink root disease is a soil-borne fungus called Phoma terrestris. This fungus thrives in wet and poorly drained soil, making it more prevalent in areas with heavy rainfall or high humidity. Moreover, planting infected bulbs, contaminated equipment, and using infected storage facilities can also spread the fungus, leading to an outbreak of pink root disease.

Symptoms of Pink Root Disease

The symptoms of pink root disease vary depending on the severity of the infection. In mild cases, the infected plants may experience stunted growth, yellowing of the leaves, and reduced bulb size. However, in severe cases, the infected plant's roots will turn pink or reddish-brown and become swollen and soft. The affected plants will eventually wilt and die, leading to significant losses for farmers and gardeners.

Preventing Pink Root Disease

Preventing pink root disease is vital to maintaining healthy plants and avoiding significant losses. Here are some ways to prevent the occurrence of pink root disease:

• Use disease-resistant varieties: Some onion varieties are resistant to pink root disease, so use them when planting.
• Avoid planting in wet and poorly drained soil: Pink root disease thrives in damp soil, so plant onions and other alliums in well-draining soil.
• Clean and sterilize equipment: Use clean and disinfected equipment to avoid spreading the fungus from one area to another.
• Rotate crops: Avoid planting onions and other alliums in the same location repeatedly; instead, rotate them with other crops to break the disease cycle.
• Treat infected plants promptly: Remove any infected plants and dispose of them away from the growing area to prevent the fungus from spreading to healthy plants.

Pink root disease is a significant problem that affects onion growers worldwide. It is essential to identify and manage the disease promptly to avoid significant losses. By following the preventive measures outlined in this article, you can minimize the risk of infection and keep your plants healthy and productive.

Pink root disease on onion roots

Pink root disease in soil

Infected onions

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