Welcome to the ultimate guide on tackling white rot in Garlic Farming in Kenya, brought to you by Onion Doctor! If you’re passionate about Garlic Farming in Kenya, you know that growing this high-value crop can be both rewarding and challenging. In Garlic Farming in Kenya, white rot stands out as one of the most notorious threats, capable of turning your garlic dreams into a nightmare. But fear not! This blog is your go-to resource for mastering white rot management while having a bit of fun along the way. Whether you’re a seasoned farmer or just starting out in Garlic Farming in Kenya, we’ll dive into the science, solutions, and strategies to keep your garlic thriving. Onion Doctor is here to empower you with knowledge and practical tips to make Garlic Farming in Kenya a profitable venture. So, let’s roll up our sleeves, put on our farming hats, and explore the world of White Rot in Garlic Farming in Kenya!
WHITE ROT IN GARLIC FARMING
White rot, caused by the fungus Sclerotium cepivorum, is a devastating disease that strikes fear into the hearts of garlic farmers worldwide, including those engaged in Garlic Farming in Kenya. This sneaky fungus attacks garlic bulbs, roots, and stems, leading to significant yield losses. In Kenya, where garlic is a high-demand crop fetching prices of KES 150–400 per kg, white rot can be a major setback for farmers aiming to capitalize on the lucrative market.
KEY SYMPTOMS OF WHITE ROT IN GARLIC
1.Above ground Foliage:
- Lower leaves yellow, wilt, and die back from the base upward; the plant then topples as roots rot.
- Visible patches of weakened plants can develop across the field.
2.Bulb and Roots:
- Bulbs show semi‑watery decay at the root plate with fluffy white mycelium .
- Tiny black, poppy seed‑sized sclerotia (fungal resting bodies) densely coat the base.
- Infected bulbs soften, crack, shrink, and are easily pulled from soil
CONDITIONS THAT FAVOUR WHITE ROT IN GARLIC
| CONDITION | EFFECT ON WHITE ROT |
| Cool Soil Temperature | Favors infection and spread. |
| High Moisture | Promotes Rot |
| Allium host presence | Triggers dormant sclerotia to germinate. |
| Contaminated Seed cloves | Introduces Pathogens to clean soils. |
| Poor Sanitation | Aids spread between Fields. |
| Dense planting | Increases Humidity, worsens the disease. |
BATTLING WHITE ROT: FUN AND EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES
Don’t let white rot dampen your spirits! Onion Doctor has compiled a list of battle-tested strategies to keep this fungus at bay. Let’s make Garlic Farming in Kenya fun and productive with these tips:
1. PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE:
The best way to fight white rot is to stop it before it starts. Here’s how:
- Use Certified Seed Cloves: Always source disease-free garlic cloves from reputable suppliers like Onion Doctor. Contaminated cloves can introduce white rot to your farm.
- Quarantine New Stock: Keep new seed cloves separate from your existing stock until you’re sure they’re clean. Think of it as putting new garlic in a “time-out” to ensure it’s safe!
- Clean your Equipment: Wash tillage equipment thoroughly to avoid spreading sclerotia between fields. A clean farm is a happy farm!
2. CROP ROTATION:
White rot sclerotia can survive in the soil for over 20 years, so crop rotation is your secret weapon. Avoid planting garlic or onions in the same field for at least 3–4 years. Instead, rotate with non-allium crops like maize, beans, or Potatoes, which can act as a natural biofumigant. This is like playing a game of hide-and-seek with the fungus—and winning!
3. SOIL AND WATER MANAGEMENT
White rot loves wet, poorly drained soils, so let’s make your farm an inhospitable place for it:
- Improve Drainage: Use raised beds (30 cm high, 1–1.5 m wide) to ensure water doesn’t pool around your garlic.
- Drip Irrigation: Onion Doctor recommends drip irrigation to deliver water directly to the roots without wetting the foliage, reducing fungal spread. Overwatering is like throwing a pool party for white rot—don’t do it!
- Mulching: Apply straw or dry grass mulch to regulate soil moisture and suppress weeds, which can harbor fungal spores.
4. FUNGICIDES:
When prevention isn’t enough, fungicides can help. Apply fungicides like Carbendazim or copper-based options in a 6-inch band over the planting trench before planting. Always follow local regulations and consult an agronomist from Onion Doctor for guidance. Think of fungicides as your garlic’s superhero sidekick!
| Week | Pesticide | Fungicides | Foliar | Fertilizer |
| Land Preparation | Decomposed Manure | |||
| 1 | Active Ingredient | Active Ingredient | First Top dressing | |
| 2 | Mancozeb | |||
| 3 | Profenofos | |||
| 4 | Acephale | Carbendazim |
5. HOT WATER TREATMENT:
Treating seed cloves with hot water (115°F for 10–20 minutes) can kill fungal spores without harming the garlic. Be careful not to overheat, or you’ll end up with cooked cloves instead of a crop! This method is like giving your garlic a spa day to emerge clean and ready to grow.
6. BURN, DO NOT COMPOST:
If you spot white rot, remove and burn affected plants and surrounding soil immediately. Never compost garlic debris, as it can spread sclerotia. Think of this as sending white rot on a one-way trip to the incinerator!
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