White fungus under onion

[corvidstation 61]

Hi everyone,
On digging up a few of my onions i noticed a white fungus on the underside.

Does anyone know what the fungus is called, and how i can get rid of it?

Thanks Mark

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Mark - welcome!

The white fungus is called White Rot and there is no treatment for it. You need to burn the infected onions and don't grow any onions on that piece of ground for about 8 years. Not good news, I'm afraid!

[smithyveg]

I used Basamid soil sterilant last season with some success after suffering from white rot for several years. I still have white rot but it didn't seem to be as bad as previous years so I'll be giving my onion beds another dose before too long.

It's not on general sale so you need to shop around a bit ( I think farmers use it so agricultural outlets are probably the best bet) and take extra precautions when applying it.......I used a mask but it still made me a bit giddy.


Otherwise I think even the 8 year rule is optimistic. I've heard 20-30 years is more the norm. Another method is to grow onions in raised beds with new, sterilised soil......but the slightest cross contamination via tools can introduce the rot to your new beds.

Simon

www.smithyveg.blogspot.com