This summer, the University of Maryland (UMD) is partnering with the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) and USDA to create a four-module online training course Maryland Farming Success.
The online training course is separated into four modules designed around preparing farmers for success by providing information about available USDA programs and creating the ability for participants to have a successful business plan, including – mission and goals, enterprise budgeting, risk management, and legal risk management.
Unusual Disease of Garlic Scapes Found in Maryland
By Jerry Brust, UME and Karen Rane, UMD Plant Diagnostic Lab
A grower noticed over the last few years lesions developing on their garlic scapes which then collapsed in the field. In previous years these collapsed scapes amounted to only a small number, but this year the losses are much greater approaching 30%. Symptoms consist of sunken lesions about ¼ to ½ inch long, that cause twisting, girdling and collapse of the scape. Lesions initially are cream to tan-colored but under rainy or very humid conditions, spore production by the fungus causes lesions to turn orange (fig 1). This disease is anthracnose of garlic, a new disease to Maryland and is caused by the fungus Colletotrichum fioriniae. The fungus may survive on crop residue in the soil from a previous garlic crop or the disease may be spread by infected bulbils used for propagation. Disease development is favored by rainy or very humid weather and warm temperatures (78-88o F). Anthracnose of garlic does not affect bulbs, but scape yield could be reduced as will bulbil production.
Fig. 1 Collapsed base of scape with white lesion and orange spores (left) and twisted orange scape stem (right). Photo by M.Mclearen.
Reports from New England indicate that onion is most likely not affected by this fungus. C. fioriniae has also been reported as causing bitter rot on pear and anthracnose on celery and cherry tomato. Crop rotation away from any member of the onion family may help reduce disease incidence. Besides crops, weeds such as common lambsquarters, redroot pigweed, yellow nutsedge and common groundsel may also be infected with the pathogen but be symptomless. Because this is such a new disease of garlic, fungicide recommendations have yet to be determined. However, products that are labeled and effective against purple blight of onion may be useful against this disease.
To obtain Maryland Pesticide or Nutrient Voucher Credits. You will need to watch the recording and complete the forms found in the recording by April 30, 2021.
