ARS | Publication request: XANTHOMONAS LEAF BLIGHT OF ONION

Submitted to: Extension Publications
Publication Type: Experiment Station
Publication Acceptance Date: April 30, 2005
Publication Date: May 31, 2005
Citation: Schwartz, H.F., Gent, D.H. 2005. Xanthomonas leaf blight of onion. Extension Publications. Diseases. No. 2.951.

Interpretive Summary: Xanthomonas leaf blight, caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. allii, is a common foliar disease of onion. Environmental, host, and cultural factors affect the severity of the disease, but reductions in yield of 20% or greater are common. This extension bulletin presents recent advances in understanding the disease and its casual agent. Xanthomonas leaf blight can be managed by combining moderate levels of host resistance, certain cultural practices, and the appropriate use of chemical controls.

Technical Abstract: Xanthomonas leaf blight, caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. allii, is a common foliar disease of onion. This extension bulletin presents a review of disease symptomology, etiology, epidemiology, and management. The association of environment, host, and cultural and disease severity are discussed. Xanthomonas leaf blight can be managed successfully by the integration of moderately resistant cultivars, strict sanitation of weeds, crop debris, and volunteer onion, sound cultural practices, and judicious use of chemical controls.