Evaluation of fusariosis resistance in commercial onion varieties in Burkina Faso

Abstract

Fusarium head blight is a serious fungal disease that affects various crops, including onions, in many parts of the world, including Burkina Faso. Onion varieties that have been identified as efficient in other areas may not necessarily perform well in Burkina Faso, given the particular environmental and agronomic conditions of the region. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify onion varieties that demonstrate resistance or tolerance to Fusarium head blight, as well as yield high harvests, in the specific soil and climate conditions of Burkina Faso. To achieve this, seven onion varieties were evaluated during the dry season in Tabtenga, located in the commune of Loumbila. The incidence rates and the severity of Fusarium head blight were assessed at 35 and 75 days after transplanting. The results indicated that the varieties Noflaye, Prema 178, Rouge de Tana, and Super Yali displayed the lowest incidence of Fusarium head blight. However, the severity of the disease was not statistically different across all the varieties tested. Bulb yields ranged from 11.50 to 20.75 tons per hectare. This study is the first to provide data on the resistance of onion varieties to Fusarium head blight in the central agro-ecological zone of Burkina Faso. These findings suggest that the identified varieties may hold promise for sustainable onion production in the region. However, to confirm the results, multi-local trials should be conducted across both dry and rainy seasons.