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Suppressive effects of low-pH solutions on root rot in hydroponically grown Welsh onion

  • Disease Control
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A Correction to this article was published on 01 April 2024

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Abstract

Root rot of hydroponically grown Welsh onion has caused considerable economic losses every year since commercial cultivation began in 1988 in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The primary pathogens, which have not been reported to form sexual structures, are Pythium spp. including Pythium clusters B2a sp., which is most prevalent, and B1d sp. and Pythium clade A sp. These pathogens infect Welsh onion roots by producing sporangia and zoospores. The objective of this study was to elucidate the inhibitory effects of low-pH solutions on root-rot pathogens of hydroponically grown Welsh onion. Naturally occurring disease was significantly lower after treatment with nutrient solutions with a pH maintained at 4.3–4.9 than with conventional unmanaged solutions (pH 5.4–6.4). In a greenhouse after inoculation of infected Welsh onion with Pythium cluster B2a sp., low-pH solutions (pH 4.0 and 4.5) significantly suppressed zoospore production and reduced the percentage of root infections compared to the conventional solution (pH 5.5). In other greenhouse inoculation tests with Pythium clusters B2a sp. and B1d sp. and Pythium clade A sp., the low-pH solution (pH 4.0) substantially decreased zoospore density and root infection compared to the conventional solution (pH 5.5). The low-pH solutions did not negatively impact crop yield in the greenhouse tests and thus can be used to suppress root rot in hydroponically grown Welsh onions.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Yuko Ishiburo, Masahiro Nishimito, Chizuko Nagai, Naoki Hikasa, Takahiro Yamada, and Akira Miyawaki for their technical assistance. We thank commercial farmers in Hiroshima Prefecture for investigating and collecting samples, and Aya Imamura for sampling support. We also thank Masahiro Suzuki for his statistical recommendations. Part of this study was financially supported by the Hiroshima Prefecture government. We thank Editage (www.editage.com) for English language editing.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Agricultural Technology Research Center, Hiroshima Prefectural Technology Research Institute, 6869 Hara, Hachihonmatsu, Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-0151, Japan

    Sachiko Shimizu

  2. Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Osaka Prefecture University, 1-1 Gakuen-cho, Naka-ku, Sakai, Osaka, 599-8531, Japan

    Sachiko Shimizu & Motoaki Tojo

  3. Graduate School of Agriculture, Osaka Metropolitan University, 1-1 Gakuen-cho, Naka-ku, Sakai, Osaka, 599-8531, Japan

    Motoaki Tojo

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  1. Sachiko Shimizu
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Correspondence to Motoaki Tojo.

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Shimizu, S., Tojo, M. Suppressive effects of low-pH solutions on root rot in hydroponically grown Welsh onion. J Gen Plant Pathol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10327-024-01168-2

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