Downy mildew can down onion

GROWN all over the country, onion (Allium cepa L) in North India is severely affected by the downy mildew disease very often, which causes near devastation, particularly in the seed crop.

Caused by the fungus Pernospora destructor (Berk) Casp, downy mildew occurs worldwide wherever the crop is grown in cool and moist conditions. In India, the disease was first reported in Kashmir in 1974-75. Since then, it has been spreading slowly to areas around Rewari and Ambala in Haryana, and Ludhiana and Bathinda in Punjab. In Himachal Pradesh, the disease is particularly serious in Kangra, Mandi and Sirmour districts, causing 10-100 per cent losses in affected areas.