Jeongeup-si Urges Prevention of Onion and Garlic Moisture Damage Due to Frequent Rainfall

Published 14 Mar.2024 11:03(KST)

The Jeonbuk Jeongeup Agricultural Technology Center has urged farmers to properly manage their crops to prevent damage from moisture in onions and garlic.

According to the city’s Agricultural Technology Center on the 14th, this year there is concern about poor growth and pest damage caused by moisture in onions and garlic due to higher rainfall and insufficient sunlight compared to last year.

Jeongeup Agricultural Technology Center urged farmers to properly manage their crops to prevent damage from humidity in onions and garlic. <br>[Photo by Jeongeup Agricultural Technology Center]

Jeongeup Agricultural Technology Center urged farmers to properly manage their crops to prevent damage from humidity in onions and garlic.
[Photo by Jeongeup Agricultural Technology Center]

One of the major diseases, downy mildew, causes leaves to turn light green and overall wither, while leaf blight shows black spore-forming lesions on the leaf surface.

Additionally, heavy rain can cause browning and death of onion leaf blades, and in garlic, if water pooled in furrows does not drain quickly, moisture damage can delay root development.

To prevent such damage, farmers should maintain drainage ditches in advance, partially remove plastic mulch in fields with severe moisture damage to reduce harm, and cover the plastic with soil to fix it so it does not blow away in the wind.

In terms of fertilization management, the second topdressing should be applied by mid to late March, and excessive use or incorrect timing of fertilization can prolong vegetative growth, delay bulb formation, or cause onion green sprout disorder.

An official from the Agricultural Technology Center said, “Before rainfall that creates an environment conducive to downy mildew, apply fungicides, and if the disease is observed, apply systemic fungicides 1 to 2 times to eliminate secondary infection sources,” adding, “It is important to apply protective fungicides 3 to 4 times at one-week intervals for prevention.”