Oregon State University Plant Clinic

Embellisia skin blotch on stored garlic

Cause

Embellisia allii (Campanile) E.G. Simmons 1971 (= Helminthosporium allii Campanile 1924).

Occurrence

This fungal disease does not occur very frequently in Oregon , but can be disfiguring in those years when it does occur.

Symptoms

The disease appears most frequently as irregular dark areas on the outer scales of the garlic heads, usually near the base of the bulb. Dark areas may form on the backs and sides of cloves within a head; in our experience, the fungus rarely infects anything but the scales. Red garlic is reportedly not as susceptible as white garlic, but is not immune.

Disease Cycle

The skin blotch fungus overwinters in plant debris, infested soil, and diseased cloves. This disease is more of a problem in wet years, in garlic which is stored wet, or garlic which is moist when packaged. In Japan this disease was common in supermarket garlic wrapped in plastic.

Management

• Peel off the discolored outer scales of the garlic heads
• Keep humidity in storage low
• Do not store visibly diseased heads
• Wrap garlic in breathable material for marketing

References

David, J.C. 1991. Embellisia allii. IMI Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria No. 1078, International Mycological Institute, Ferry Lane , Surrey , UK .

Dugan, F. M., B. C. Hellier, & S. L. Lupien. 2005. Efficacy of fungicides against infections of garlic in Washington State . http://www.apsnet.org/meetings/div/pc05abs.asp

Taniguchi, N., Kishi, T., Tohyama, A., & Tsuda, M. 1994. Bulb canker of garlic caused by Embellisia allii , newly found in Japan . Mycoscience 35:421-424.