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Garlic rust in community garden #873495

Asked June 17, 2024, 4:38 PM EDT

Hello, There is evidence of garlic rust in a community garden in Washington County. Do you have knowledge of the best way to eliminate garlic rust? Should all garlic from a 90-plot community garden be extracted and eliminate future plantings for a few years? One of the gardeners mentioned moratorium on garlic as the only option, but I'm thinking something can be attempted before we go to that extreme... any information would be very much appreciated! Thank you!

Washington County Oregon

Expert Response

Rust on garlic and other allium crops is a periodic problem, one that has been increasingly more notable over the past decade in western Oregon.  This spring/early summer has been ideal for outbreaks of rust on allium crops.  Avoiding the planting of allium crops for a period of time is the most effective approach for managing the problem.  However, this fungus can overwinter on volunteer garlic and onions, or on wild hosts, so these types of alliums also need to be managed in order to try and "eliminate" the pathogen.  See https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/garlic-allium-sativum-rust for additional recommendations for management of rust on garlic.  There are chemicals registered for commercial crops but none that I would recommend for treating a residential garden area.

If a moratorium decision is reached, it is important to scout for rust on the allium vegetables once they are re-introduced, in order to detect and eliminate early infections, which will slow rust disease pressure.  

An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 18, 2024, 5:47 PM EDT

Thank you! Hoping that the gardener group bands together to eliminate current and future rust. Wish us luck!

 

From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> On Behalf Of Ask Extension
Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 2:48 PM
To: JESSICA KITTLESON <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Garlic rust in community garden (#0143413)

 

CAUTION - EXTERNAL SENDER

The Question Asker Replied June 18, 2024, 7:01 PM EDT

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