Onion Pink Root

Pink root on onion [Credit: Gerald Holmes, California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo, Bugwood.org]

Pink root on onion [Credit: Gerald Holmes, California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo, Bugwood.org]

Pink root on onion [Credit: Gerald Holmes, California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo, Bugwood.org]

Pink root on onion [Credit: Gerald Holmes, California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo, Bugwood.org]

Pink root on onion [Credit: Howard F. Schwartz, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org]

Pink root on onion [Credit: Howard F. Schwartz, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org]

Host Plants:

On Crops: Onions, garlic, and numerous vegetables and weeds

Where Found:

Mostly in warm summer climates

Description:

Onion plants begin wilting at the leaf tips, and gradually die back before they are fully mature. If you pull up an affected plant, many roots will be rotted, but there may be a few pink ones among the roots that remain. Pink color may also be present in the soft outer layers of infected onion bulbs. This disease is most common in summer when temperatures are above 80F (27C).

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