Optimising chemical and cultural management of onion white rot

This project led by Arvensis Research will draw on 25 years of accumulated knowledge and information on Onion White Rot (OWR), including input from research teams currently operating in the USA and New Zealand, contacts within the local onion industry and established links with global manufacturers of fungicides and biologicals. The project will focus on the development of a more effective Integrated Disease Management (IDM) strategy, incorporating pre-plant soil DNA tests to identify the risk of disease prior to planting; germination stimulants to reduce disease inoculum levels prior to planting; improved understanding and efficacy of current fungicides (tebuconazole and triadimenol) in relation to disease epidemiology and fungicide behaviour in soil; and identification of new fungicides and biologicals for control of OWR.