{"id":2500,"date":"2025-05-15T12:58:08","date_gmt":"2025-05-15T09:58:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oniondoctor.co.ke\/?p=2500"},"modified":"2025-06-03T12:27:23","modified_gmt":"2025-06-03T09:27:23","slug":"onion-diseases-management-0703982228","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oniondoctor.co.ke\/?p=2500","title":{"rendered":"Onion Farming in Kenya\/Common Diseases and how to manage them\/+254703982228"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Welcome, onion warriors, to the ultimate showdown against the villains of the onion world! At Onion Doctor Limited<\/strong><\/mark>, we are your trusty sidekicks in the quest to grow onions so epic they would make a chef weep with pride. But lurking in the shadows of your Onion Farms in Kenya, is a deadly yet common Onion diseases that are ready to sabotage your bumper onion harvest. Fear not! In this action packed blog, we are unmasking notorious onion enemies, revealing their evil plans and sharing Onion Doctor<\/strong><\/mark>s<\/strong><\/mark><\/code> superhero strategies to save your bulbs. Packed with jaw-dropping Facts& Tips <\/strong>and a call to join forces with us, this guide will transform you into an onion-growing legend. Grab your trowels and let us dig into the battle for Kenya`s finest onions!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

COMMON ONION DISEASES IN KENYA AND THEIR MANAGEMENT<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.DOWNEY MILDEW<\/strong><\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Cause<\/strong>: A fungal like oomycete that thrives in Kenya`s cool wet seasons <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Symptoms:<\/strong> Pale green to Yellow spots: Small, pale green or yellowish patches appear on the upper surface of the leaves and stalks<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Impact<\/strong>: Downey Mildew hijacks photosynthesis, slashing bulb size and threatening fields<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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    Image of Downey mildew in an Onion Field<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    2.PURPLE BLOTCH<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    • Cause<\/strong>: A fungus that loves Kenya`s warm, humid lowlands.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Symptoms<\/strong>: Small, water-soaked spots evolve into purple or brown bullseyes,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Impact<\/strong>: Purple blotch starves onions by trashing their leaves, cutting yield and inviting rot <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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      Image of Purple Blotch in an Onion leaf<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      3.ONION RUST<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      • Causes: <\/strong>A relentless fungus that thrives in cool, humid conditions and attacks the Onion family.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Symptoms<\/strong>: Bright Orange or Dark Brown bumps along the leaf vein<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Impact:<\/strong> Severe infections stunt plants, shrink bulbs and slash yields, leaving onions too small for markets.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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        Image of Onion Rust in an Onion farm<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        4.LEAF BLIGHT<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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        • Cause<\/strong>: Botrytis squamosa<\/em> pathogen for cool regions and Stemphylium vesicarium<\/em>
          pathogen for warm and humid regions<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Symptoms<\/strong>: small, oval white or tan lesions on the leaves, often surrounded by greenish halos. As the disease progresses, these lesions enlarge, become sunken and straw-colored, leading to leaf dieback and eventual death.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Impact<\/strong>: Can lead to significant yield losses\u2014often ranging from 30% to 60%\u2014by causing premature leaf death, reducing bulb size and quality, and compromising storage life.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
          \"\"
          Image of Leaf Blight in Onion <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

          5.FUSARIUM BASAL ROT<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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          • Cause:<\/strong> Caused by the soil-borne fungus Fusarium oxysporum<\/em> f. sp. cepae<\/em>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Symptoms:<\/strong> Initially presents as yellowing and dieback of leaf tips, progressing downward. Below ground, roots may rot and be replaced by white moldy growth, while bulbs exhibit brown, watery decay starting at the basal plate and spreading upward.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Impact<\/strong>: Field losses can reach up to 50%, while storage losses may range from 30% to 40%, depending on environmental conditions and management practices. In severe cases, infection rates as high as 90% have been reported, resulting in enormous economic losses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
            \"\"
            Effect of Fusarium Basal Rot in Onion<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

            MANAGEMENT OF ONION DISEASES<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            . Cultural Practices<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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            • Crop Rotation<\/strong>: Rotate onions with non-Allium crops every 3\u20134 years to break disease cycles.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Sanitation<\/strong>: Remove and bury infected plant debris to reduce pathogen sources.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Proper Irrigation<\/strong>: Use drip irrigation systems from Onion Doctor Limited<\/mark><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Weed Control<\/strong>: Regularly remove weeds that can harbor pests and disease<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Planting Practices<\/strong>:<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Use disease-free seeds and certified planting materials from Onion Doctor Limited<\/mark><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Avoid planting onions in fields previously affected by diseases for at least 3\u20134 years<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

              3. Chemical Control<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

              Fungicide Application<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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              • Apply fungicides judiciously, following recommended schedules and dosages.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Rotate fungicides with different modes of action to prevent resistance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                Week <\/strong><\/td>Pesticide<\/strong><\/td>Fungicides<\/td>Foliar<\/td>Fertilizer<\/td><\/tr>
                Land Preparation<\/td><\/td><\/td><\/td>Decomposed Manure<\/td><\/tr>
                1<\/td>Active ingredient<\/td>Active ingredient<\/td><\/td>First Top dressing<\/td><\/tr>
                2<\/td><\/td>Mancozeb<\/td><\/td><\/td><\/tr>
                3<\/td>Profenofos<\/td><\/td><\/td><\/td><\/tr>
                4<\/td>Acephale<\/td>Carbendazim<\/td><\/td><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
                For an Affordable fee<\/em> of Kes 5000 or $38.66 Onion Doctor can offer you a full spray and feeding program for more info Message Onion Doctor Ltd on WhatsApp. https:\/\/wa.me\/254706252490<\/mark><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

                <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Pro-Tip: <\/strong>Watering with drip irrigations and check plants weekly-it`s like giving your onions a superhero shield! Call <\/mark>Onion Doctor Limited @+254703982228<\/mark><\/strong> <\/strong>to set up drip systems and scouting for a super harvest!<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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