White Rot in Garlic: The Underground Villain Threatening Your Allium Empire/+254703982228/+254706252490.
Hey there, garlic gurus and onion enthusiasts! Welcome back to the Onion Doctor blog, where we’re dishing out a zesty blend of allium wisdom, practical tips, and a pinch of fun to keep your garden thriving. Imagine this: you’re envisioning a glorious harvest of plump garlic bulbs, ready to elevate your culinary game, when—WHAM!—a sneaky fungal foe creeps in from below. Meet white rot in garlic, the soil-dwelling menace that can turn your allium dreams into a rotten mess. Fear not! This guide will equip you with everything you need to identify, prevent, and battle white rot, ensuring your garlic stays the star of the show. Let’s dive in and save your crop! WHAT IS WHITE ROT IN GARLIC: White rot, caused by the fungus Sclerotium cepivorum (also known as Stromatinia cepivorum), is the ultimate buzzkill for garlic and onion growers. This soil-borne pathogen is like a villain hiding in the shadows, waiting decades to strike. It targets Allium crops (garlic, onions, leeks, and shallots) and can devastate entire fields if not managed. The fungus produces tiny, poppy seed-sized structures called sclerotia, which are its secret weapon, lying dormant in the soil for 20–40 years until an Allium crop triggers them to attack. Once activated, white rot causes a soft, watery decay that can ruin your garlic faster than you can say “vampire repellent.” HOW TO SPOT WHITE ROT IN GARLIC White rot is a master of disguise, often hiding until it’s too late. Here’s how to play detective and catch it early: Pro Tip: If you suspect white rot, pull up a plant and check the bulb and roots. White fuzz and black sclerotia are dead giveaways. Don’t mix it up with Fusarium basal rot, which causes brown, pitted discoloration instead of white mycelium. WHY WHITE ROT IS A GARLIC GROWER`S WORST NIGHTMARE: White rot isn’t just a minor annoyance—it’s a full-on crisis for these reasons: HOW DOES WHITE ROT SPREAD: White rot is like a stealthy ninja, spreading through: Fun Fact: The fungus is triggered by Allium-specific root exudates, so it ignores your tomatoes or carrots but goes wild for garlic. PREVENTING WHITE ROT: YOUR GARLIC DEFENSE PLAN Prevention is your best shield against white rot, because once it’s in your soil, it’s like trying to un-invite a vampire. Here’s how to protect your garlic patch: Pro Tip: Try growing elephant garlic, which shows some resistance to white rot (though it’s not immune). MANAGING WHITE ROT: WHAT TO DO IF IT STRIKES: If white rot invades your garlic patch, act fast to limit the damage: Caution: Flooding fields or stopping irrigation entirely may reduce sclerotia viability but is often impractical and not fully effective. THE SILVER LINING: YOUR GARLIC CAN STILL SHINE Even if white rot strikes, you can still enjoy your garlic. Infected bulbs are safe to eat (though they won’t store well), so chop them up for a quick batch of freezer garlic. If your soil is contaminated, try growing garlic in containers with fresh, clean soil to keep your allium dreams alive. Fun Tip: Make garlic powder from healthy bulbs to use in cooking or as a potential white rot drench. It’s like fighting fungus with fungus. Happy growing, and may your garlic stay rot-free! Contact us for: Onion seedlings, Garlic seedlings, Germinated garlic cloves, Farm planning services, Soil testing, training on onion and garlic growing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack and Farm management. For free consultation, placing orders or booking a visit with an agronomist, please contact us via Call or what’s app +254703982228, Email: Info@oniondoctor.co.ke. You can also check out our social media handles for daily updates on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@oniondoctorke?_t=ZM-8wmsTu0qumO&_r=1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oniondoctorke?igsh=MTVoaHF3aWUydTJzaQ==Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/share/16SwgYn2dG/ Youtube:https://youtube.com/@oniondoctorke?si=u5Jnd-r0qU9UDYqL and Twitter: https://x.com/OnionDoctorKe?t=FR3JXlS_oN1vjjUgAtfyzg&s=09