Survey on fungal blights of onion incidence and evaluation of onion (Allium cepa L.) genotypes against Alternaria porri and Stemphylium vesicarium

Abstract

Last year, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs dispatched 150 tonnes of onions to Jammu and Kashmir in an effort to stabilize the soaring prices of this essential commodity. The initiative aimed to release bulk quantities of onions into the local markets, thereby controlling the price surge, particularly in Jammu. Interestingly, the production of onion crops in India has witnessed a significant increase-from 65.2 tonnes per hectare in the financial year 2012 to 163.5 tonnes per hectare in 2025. However, despite this growth, the rising incidence of fungal diseases such as Stemphylium blight and purple blotch continues to negatively impact onion yields. To address this issue, a research study was conducted from 2019-2020 in Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Jammu. The primary objective of the study was to survey the prevalence of fungal blights across different locations in Jammu and to evaluate the performance of various onion cultivars under local conditions. Several cultivars were collected from different sources and tested through field trials to determine their resistance to purple blotch and Stemphylium blight. Among the tested varieties, the Arka Kalyan germplasm showed the most promising results, demonstrating strong resistance against these fungal diseases and making it a suitable cultivar for cultivation in the region.