FUSED: Fusarium Diagnosis And Management

Jan 24 – Dec 25

Fusarium Basal Rot (FBR) is a growing threat to the UK onion industry, causing devastating losses and increasing in prevalence both nationally and globally. In 2022, FBR led to the worst-ever crop losses in the UK, highlighting the urgent need for effective solutions to manage this destructive disease. The UK onion industry, valued at £150 million annually, is at risk if comprehensive measures are not taken to detect and combat FBR early. Current diagnostic methods often detect the disease too late, resulting in substantial financial losses for growers and declining onion quality. With FBR becoming more widespread, especially under varying climate conditions, targeted interventions are critical to safeguarding this essential crop.

Key Challenges

Several key challenges must be addressed to effectively manage FBR in the UK onion crop:

Increasing Prevalence: FBR is becoming more common across the UK and worldwide, posing a growing threat to onion production.
Late Detection: Existing detection methods often identify FBR too late, resulting in significant crop damage and losses.
Field and Storage Monitoring: Monitoring both in-field conditions and storage environments is crucial, but current methods lack precision and timeliness.
Variation in Growing Environments: FBR affects different growing environments and production stages differently, making it difficult to develop a one-size-fits-all solution.

The Solution

The FUSED project is developing a comprehensive set of innovative solutions to combat Fusarium Basal Rot (FBR) through early, targeted interventions in both field conditions and storage facilities.

Collaborating with 85% of the UK’s onion producers, the project focuses on several key strategies. Soil tests are being developed to detect FBR early, enabling proactive treatment before symptoms become visible. Advanced computer vision technology is being utilised to identify early visual signs of FBR, providing timely information for effective intervention. In storage, gas sensors monitor volatile compounds linked to FBR development, offering an early warning system that allows for rapid action to prevent further crop loss. Additionally, tailored agronomic advice is being provided to help growers implement best practices that reduce the risk of FBR across different environments.

Status

Early trials are promising, and continued testing in real-world conditions is refining these tools to ensure their effectiveness. B-Hive are refining diagnostic tools and testing them in real conditions. Initial trials are positive, with ongoing development to ensure effectiveness across different growing environments and production stages. The ultimate aim of the FUSED project is to offer the UK onion industry an integrated approach to managing Fusarium Basal Rot, protecting the crop from future losses.