Bacterial and fungal diseases of garlic
Farmer's Weekly|Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
Garlic can be prone to bacterial and fungal diseases, and it's important that farmers are proactive in preventing infection and practise appropriate management. Magda du Toit reports.
Magda du Toit
Bacterial and fungal diseases of garlic

Growing garlic from seed to harvest requires careful planning, as well as proper and ongoing production management practices to ensure a healthy crop. By paying attention to factors like soil health, watering, and pest and disease management, the risks associated with garlic production can be minimised.

Speaking at the South African Garlic Growers’ Association’s annual conference in Pretoria recently, Elsie Cruywagen, specialist researcher in mycology and plant pathology at the Agricultural Research Council Vegetable, Industrial and Medicinal Plant (ARC-VIMP) Institute, pointed out that garlic is susceptible to several diseases. “Garlic is prone to mainly fungal and viral and to a lesser extent bacterial diseases,” she said.

She added that most of the major fungal diseases are soilborne.

Cruywagen said that although there aren’t any active research projects on at present, ad hoc samples are being received at the ARCVIMP Diagnostic Centre at Roodeplaat.

“In the past we received samples for diagnosis of black mould, blue mould and Fusarium basal rot.”

Cruywagen pointed out that there are about 10 groups of bacterial diseases that affect garlic and over 35 fungal diseases can impair garlic production. Some of these are listed below.

LEAF DISEASES Leaf blight

Leaf blight is caused by Stemphylium vesicarium. The pathogen’s spores are dispersed by wind and are present throughout the garlic growing season, with spore counts increasing as the season progresses. Stemphylium leaf blight thrives in warm and humid climates.

Lesions generally develop during warm temperatures with adequate rainfall or irrigation until harvest. S. vesicarium is also found in onions and asparagus.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024 من Farmer's Weekly.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024 من Farmer's Weekly.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من FARMER'S WEEKLY مشاهدة الكل
Understanding eye conditions in horses: causes and first aid
Farmer's Weekly

Understanding eye conditions in horses: causes and first aid

A horse can get a swollen eye from bumping it against a tree, shaking its head to keep flies away, or even snake venom

time-read
2 mins  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
IPM requires a completely different mindset
Farmer's Weekly

IPM requires a completely different mindset

You need to investigate any beneficial insects that may appear on your plants, or you can purchase them

time-read
2 mins  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
Does parrot farming protect wild species?
Farmer's Weekly

Does parrot farming protect wild species?

Those in favour of commercial captive breeding argue that breeding parrots to sell can relieve pressure on wild populations. Researchers Neil D'Cruze and Rowan Martin review the evidence.

time-read
3 mins  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
Bacterial and fungal diseases of garlic
Farmer's Weekly

Bacterial and fungal diseases of garlic

Garlic can be prone to bacterial and fungal diseases, and it's important that farmers are proactive in preventing infection and practise appropriate management. Magda du Toit reports.

time-read
6 mins  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
Responsible wastewater management: a crucial part of farming
Farmer's Weekly

Responsible wastewater management: a crucial part of farming

The inadequate management of waste water is a challenge that the agriculture sector needs to deal with. Magda du Toit spoke to experts in waste and water management about a cost-effective treatment system.

time-read
5 mins  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
Technology that can help protect South Africa's farms
Farmer's Weekly

Technology that can help protect South Africa's farms

Farm attacks, murders, livestock and crop theft, and other rural crimes are a growing concern in South Africa. As a result, more and more farmers are turning to advanced security technology to protect their lives, properties, and livelihoods. Sinenhlanhla Mncwango spoke to experts about the security strategies that producers can adopt to combat these threats.

time-read
6 mins  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
The impact of theft on farms in South Africa
Farmer's Weekly

The impact of theft on farms in South Africa

A high number of livestock are being stolen every year in South Africa. Insurance is expensive and farmers are battling to find solutions to the problem, says Dr Lindie von Maltitz, agricultural economics lecturer in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of the Free State.

time-read
5 mins  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
Staying afloat amid the cost-price squeeze
Farmer's Weekly

Staying afloat amid the cost-price squeeze

John Hudson, head of agriculture at Nedbank Commercial Banking, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the importance of environmental and social sustainability for a prosperous agriculture sector.

time-read
8 mins  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
Free State has no reason to mark Transport Month
Farmer's Weekly

Free State has no reason to mark Transport Month

Free State Agriculture (FSA) is very concerned about the extremely poor state of rural paved and gravel roads in the province and has very little, if anything, to celebrate during Transport Month, which takes place every October.

time-read
1 min  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
SA's food system ‘vulnerable to climate change'
Farmer's Weekly

SA's food system ‘vulnerable to climate change'

The Just Transition Agenda for Food System Policymaking in SA webinar, hosted by the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) in October, highlighted the role that South Africa’s food system plays in contributing to climate change and how vulnerable it is to the impact thereof.

time-read
2 mins  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024