Seasonal development
and life cycle—Pink root
Pink root is primarily a problem on onion; garlic is also infected by the fungus but is not affected
at an economically important level. The fungus is a common soil inhabitant that penetrates roots directly;
wounds are not necessary for infection, but weak plants are more susceptible. The pathogen can persist
in soil indefinitely; the longer plants are grown in the garden, the more destructive the disease becomes.
The fungus can be spread in water or on dirty equipment. Optimum temperatures for disease development
are 75° to 85° F.
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Discoloration
of onion roots
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