EFFECTS OF SOIL TREATMENT PRACTICES ON PINK ROOT DISEASE OF ONION IN THE SENEGALESE CULTIVATION SYSTEM

Pink root disease of onion, a known worldwide constraint upon onion pr oduction, significantly reduces crop levels in the main Senegalese cul tivation area. So far there have been no satisfactory solutions to thi s problem owing to the specific socioeconomic and environmental condit ions. Compared with local farmers' practices, the soil chemotherapeuta nt dazomet was effective in lowering disease development and improving yields and harvest quality. Application rates as low as 40 g a.im(2) were found to provide economically acceptable control. Solarization al so helps minimize the effect of the incidence of pink root disease on yields but is less efficient than dazomet because of local cultivation practices.