Mitigating measures against pathogenic fungi in onion intensified

Edmon B. Agron and Rita T. dela Cruz

Anthracnose symptom in onion leaves (Photo by RALBERTO)

Following the detection of another plant pathogenic fungus in onion causing the anthracnose disease, Secretary Arthur C. Yap instructed concerned agencies of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to intensify mitigation measures and make the necessary actions to assuage further damage to onion industry.

The detection of the pathogen in onion was a result of the study of Dr. Ronaldo T. Alberto of Central Luzon State University (CLSU) and Dr Vermando Aquino of UP National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (UP-NIMBB), which was presented in a public seminar at the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR). The study was funded under a research fellowship program of DA-BAR and the UP-Natural Science Research Institute (UP-NSRI). Previously, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides was thought to be the only causal organism.

According to Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) Director Joel S. Rudinas, the giberrelins had already been identified even way back because the elongation characteristics were observed in the affected plants. Thus, BPI management was glad that the study of Drs. Alberto and Aquino confirmed their previous findings.

Dr. Ronaldo T. Alberto of Central Luzon State University (CLSU), lead author of the study (Photo by EAGRON)

Rudinas explained that BPI has been working with the local government units in developing effective cultural management to abate the threat in the industry. BPI has recommended crop rotation, sanitation, and good agricultural practices as among the mitigating factors. BPI also welcomed the recommended measures of Drs. Alberto and Aquino particularly on the safe and judicious use of fungicides to control the disease.

According to Dr. Alberto, effective solutions to address the disease include the use fungicides like phenylthalimides, benzimidazole which showed evidence of efficacy against both C. gloeosporioides and G. moniliformis. Similarly, the use of Triazole fungicides together with a gibberellin inhibitor could be one of the best approaches in managing the disease because of the high probability of gibberellins produced by G. moniliformis playing an important role in disease development.

Alberto added that the discovery and characterization of these pathogens bodes well for the formulation of an effective solution and suitable management strategies to neutralize or defeat the disease. As scientists now have a better undertaking of the disease's complexity.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap is optimistic on the result of the study and instructed DA concerned agencies to intensify mitigating measures against possible threats in the onion industry.

Responding to Yap's call for action, BAR is continuously supporting the onion growers and stakeholders through the implementation of its Onion Production Resource Management System (OPREMS). This is a custom-built software application system developed specifically for use by the onion sector through a community-based resource management system. This database is designed to provide a unified information system applicable for multi-stakeholder development projects in a cross-functional environment.