Occurrence of rot of garlic caused by Fusarium solani during storage

Abstract

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is one of the most important and oldest bulbous plants grown worldwide. In India, garlic is grown in many states.The garlic crop is generally harvested during March-April in most of the regions of India. After neck cutting it is kept in storage (May–August) for use in next season when temperatures are 30-450C and relative humidity is also very high between 70-80% in the month of June followed by rains in July and August. The high temperatures and humid conditions during these period favor Fusarium rot in garlic caused by Fusarium solani under different types of storage conditions. This can lead to huge losses.During September 2009-10, Fusarium rot disease was observed on garlic bulbs (Var: G-323, G-282 & G-50) in stores at Regional Research Station, Karnal, Haryana. When removed after five months of storage, more than 40% of bulbs were affected by Fusarium rot. The bulbs were spongy, sunken, yellow-brown, mummified, softened and dryOther symptoms include reduced bulb size, weight, bulb decay and poorly developed root system. There were white, light pink or reddish fungal growth (mycelium) covering the cloves, and in the root cavities.The pathogenicity of the above pathogen was done through pinching method under artificialconditions and the symptoms were similar to those observed in the storage and the fungus was reisolated from infected bulbs. Fusarium rot is known to be caused by several species of Fusarium, which have been reported from many other countriesHowever, to the author’s knowledge this is the first report of Fusarium solani causing Fusarium rot of garlic in storage from India.