Downy mildew disease looks to affect the upcoming Vidalia onion crop. Although the disease primarily strikes onion leaves, it's anticipated crop yields will be hurt.The disease could cut down this year's crop by about 20%, according to Steve Roberson of the Roberson Onion Company. But since Downy mildew strikes plant leaves, Roberson doesn't think onion quality will be affected much.
"Bulb quality should be fine," he says, "there just won't be as much tonnage as there would have been otherwise."
Overall, he believes that, despite reduced volume and smaller sizing, they'll have a decent season.
"We will have a little reduced volume," he notes, "but we should have good quality."