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Glite Dictionary
onion mildew

onion mildew

5.0
A disease that makes onion leaves and stems turn grey and fuzzy
  • noun
  • /ˈʌnjən ˈmɪldu/
  • Specialized
translation icon : mildiú de cebolla
  • Early detection of onion mildew can help minimize its impact on the harvest.

Examples

  • The crop was severely damaged by onion mildew last year, resulting in significant yield loss.

  • Gardeners are advised to rotate crops to prevent the spread of onion mildew.

  • The garden was infested with onion mildew this season.

  • Farmers are concerned about onion mildew affecting their crops.

  • Farmers need to take immediate action if they notice onion mildew on their plants, as it can spread quickly.

  • Applying the right fungicide can help control onion mildew and protect the crop from further damage.

  • Proper ventilation in greenhouses reduces the risk of onion mildew developing on the leaves.

Synonyms

mildew
vsonion mildew
17 2.9

A thin white fungus that grows on damp plants, cloth, or walls

is a disease affecting the leaves and stems of one crop
downy mildew
vsonion mildew
  • Specialized
7.0

A plant disease that makes fuzzy, pale patches on leaves and stems

is the same disease but limited to a single crop species

Surface Forms

onion mildew singular
onion mildews plural

Morphology

onion + mildew

The meaning ‘a mildew affecting onions’ is directly and compositionally derived from combining 'onion' (the plant) with 'mildew' (a fungal growth), following a common noun + disease pattern. This type of compound (X + disease) is cross-linguistically frequent and predictable, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would understand the phrase.

Etymology

Onion mildew comes from the way a fungus makes the leaves of the onion look covered in soft, grey mildew. So, 'onion mildew' simply means the 'disease' that covers onion plants in that fuzzy growth and can damage the crop.