Garlic Rust (Puccinia allii): Effect and Management Options- A Review

Abstract

Garlic rust caused by Puccinia allii is potentially damaging to garlic crops, has a wide distribution and limits production of the crop in many countries. Different disease management options are being used to reduce its effect. Cultural disease management methods such as rotation with non-host crops, optimum crop density, adequate supply of moisture, use of healthy planting materials and field sanitation with other crops can reduce the intensity of garlic rust by reducing available inoculum to initiate infection. Use of host plant resistance to manage diseases reported as it is economical, long-lasting, effective, easy to handle and environment-friendly. There are several fungicides which are effective against garlic rust, as a stop-gap measure or as an integral part of the crop management system. Integrated management of garlic rust is possible that a combination of control tactics is applied in many parts of the world. Such an integrated approach does not depend on a single method, which in the case of monogenic host resistance could be non-durable, and should be more sustainable over time.

Keywords: Allium sativum L., Puccinia allii, Effect, Management