Deciphering spatial colonisation and pathogenesis of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cepae on onions by assessing associated physical and ...

... biochemical changes to decrease food loss. How do the host onion plant and pathogenic fungus (Fusarium) interact at different stages of development?

The resilience of the onion plant to Fusarium is critically related to specific stages in its development. Advanced imaging

of the Fusarium-onion interaction at different wavelengths - X-ray, visible and infrared (IR) - from growth through to the postharvest period, combined with an analysis of the onion's nutrients will elucidate the process of virulence. In the proposed study, the biochemical responses of the plant at each developmental stage will be correlated with those of the

fungus. Key Objectives:

The aim of this project is to decipher the spatial colonisation and pathogenesis of F. oxysporum f. sp. cepae on onions by assessing the physical and biochemical changes that take place during bulb growth in response to the disease. This

knowledge is essential for early disease detection, crop health assessment and the establishment of effective cropstorage management strategies to reduce food losses and minimise further disease spread in onion production.