Distribution and association of biophysical factors with onion (Allium cepa L.) downy mildew (Peronospora destructor) disease epidemics in northwestern Ethiopia.

Abstract

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is a significant food bulb crop that can be used for medicine, diverse recipes, and income. However, downy mildew disease limits productivity and production of onion in onion growing-regions. Thus, this survey was conducted to assess the distribution and intensity of onion downy mildew and determine the associations of disease parameters with biophysical factors. During the 2024/2025 onion cropping season, 130 onion fields were surveyed in order to measure biophysical and disease data. The associations of disease parameters and biophysical factors were analyzed using the binary logistic regression model by employing the SAS GENEMODE procedure. The surveys findings verified that downy mildew was 100% prevalent. The highest disease intensity was assessed from Fogera (50.68% and 23.48%) and Libokemkem (45.16% and 21.62%) districts, respectively. High disease incidence (>40%) and severity (>20%) were strongly associated with maturity crop growth stages, field size (>0.25 ha), blub previous crop, late October transplanting, less than four times fungicide application and less than three times land preparation. Lower disease incidence ([≤] 40%) and severity ([≤] 20%) had a strong association with early December transplanting, more than three times land preparation, fungicide spray (>4 times), field size ([≤] 0.25 ha), fields previously planted with cereals, could be considered as relative management options to minimize the diseases effects in onion growing areas of northwest Ethiopia and other similar onion cultivating areas. In addition, In order to develop effective management strategies, future research may examine pathogen variability.