2018 Volume 60 Pages 47-53
We investigated the use of soil alkalization with converter slag to control allium white rot (caused by Sclerotium cepivorum Berkeley) of Welsh onion (Allium fistulosum L.) planted in severely infested fields. The application of converter slag over the entire surface of experimental plots before planting significantly decreased the rate of heavily diseased plants at harvest both with (from 74.7% to 16.7%) and without (from 82.0% to 50.7%) preliminary soil disinfection. The alleviation of white rot was still evident to an extent in the next year without additional application. The application of a lower rate of converter slag into planting trenches decreased the rate of heavily diseased plants by almost the same amount as surface application in two independent trials. These results demonstrate the possibility of converter slag application before planting to alleviate the severity of allium white rot.
