A ProMED-mail post <http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the International Society for Infectious Diseases <http://www.isid.org>
Date: Wed 30 Oct 2019
Source: New Telegraph [edited]
<https://www.newtelegraphng.com/2019/10/kebbi-farmers-strange-diseases-destroying-our-onion-farms/>
The National Association of Onion Farmers in Kebbi has said that it has lost over NGN 1 billion [USD 2.75 million] worth of onions to 2 strange diseases affecting farms and storage facilities in the state.
No fewer than 20 000 farmers were affected. "Two unknown diseases emerged and affected the seeds we used as well as the ripened onions in our local storage facilities. We have never witnessed such kind of diseases in decades."
The farmers believe that the diseases have no remedy for now. However, the association had not reported the outbreak to relevant government agencies but would do so immediately. The acting permanent secretary, state Ministry of Agriculture, Muhammad Lawal, said, "We have no information on the outbreak [or] in our records. We assure that we are going to take necessary action."
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communicated by: ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>
[A large number of fungal, bacterial and nematode pathogens are known to affect onion (_Allium cepa_) and related crops, as well as several viruses and phytoplasmas. Most of the major diseases of this crop are soilborne. Some fungi and bacteria that affect the growing plants can also be carried over on the bulbs after harvest, leading to post-harvest rotting, as mentioned above. Thus, the two "diseases" may actually be due to just one pathogen.
A similar disease or disorder was reported from the area earlier (see ProMED-mail post http://promedmail.org/post/20110117.0196). However, it seems a diagnosis is still not available. However, reliable diagnosis of the causes and/or pathogen(s) associated with the problems is needed before any management strategies can be designed.
Maps
Nigeria:
<https://i.infopls.com/images/mnigeria.gif>
Nigerian states:
<https://maps-nigeria.com/img/1200/map-of-nigeria-showing-the-geopolitical-zones.jpg>
Pictures
Photo gallery of onion diseases:
<http://www.ipmimages.org/browse/AreaSubs.cfm?area=86>
Links
List of major diseases and pathogens of onion (and garlic):
<https://www.apsnet.org/edcenter/resources/commonnames/Pages/OnionandGarlic.aspx>
Information on some onion diseases:
<http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/95-063.htm> and <http://vegetablemdonline.ppath.cornell.edu/factsheets/Onions_List.htm>
- Mod.DHA]
[See Also:
2018
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Blight diseases, coffee & vegetable crops - Kenya
http://promedmail.org/post/20180604.5837538
2016
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Stemphylium blight, onion - Kenya: (KB)
http://promedmail.org/post/20160104.3910614
2013
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Purple blotch, onion - Kenya: (RV) susp.
http://promedmail.org/post/20130307.1574551
2011
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Undiagnosed disease, onion - Nigeria: (KE), RFI
http://promedmail.org/post/20110117.0196
and additional items on onion diseases in the archives]