Modeling the Dynamics of Fungal Diseases in Onion Cultivation With Optimal Control Strategies

Abstract

Onion cultivation (Allium cepa), a crucial crop worldwide, is threatened by fungal pathogens, leading to substantial reductions in yield and economic challenges. We present a new deterministic compartmental model to study the dynamics of fungal diseases in onion fields. Incorporating spore generation, latency phases, and control strategies such as fungicides and infected plant removal. The stability of the endemic and disease-free equilibrium, based on the basic reproduction number (${ℛ}_0$), guides strategies to lower disease cases and reduce intervention costs. Sensitivity analysis with partial rank correlation coefficients highlights spore deposition rate ($\nu$) and infection coefficients (${\beta }_1$, ${\beta }_2$) as critical factors for pathogen dissemination, with reduced fungicide effectiveness and spore decay ($ϵ$). Simulations revealed that combining fungicide with plant removal significantly reduces infections, providing an economical approach. The model bridges epidemiological theory with disease control, serving as a valuable resource for improving onion crop resilience and advancing sustainable farming.