UK: Ground-breaking research to tackle fusarium basal rot

Fusarium basal rot (FBR) is among the most destructive onion diseases worldwide, causing yield losses of over 50%. Bulb onions, a staple of the UK’s agricultural landscape, have long been a cornerstone of the nation’s farming industry. However, the emergence of FBR has cast a shadow over the future of onion cultivation, with devastating losses driving growers out of business. Against the backdrop of climate change exacerbating the issue, urgent action is imperative to protect this vital crop. In response to this pressing challenge, researchers at the University of Warwick are harnessing cutting-edge technology to develop a novel approach to FBR detection. The team is pioneering innovative detection techniques that involve both developing a DNA-based soil test to identify fields with high risk of disease and leveraging the distinctive scent of onions, that utilise scent-based indicators to identify when onions are infected. This ground-breaking methodology promises to revolutionise ...