Major Diseases of Garlic (Allium Sativum L.) and Their Management

Abstract

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) are the most important commercial crops grown all over the world and consumed in various forms. In India, onion and garlic have been under cultivation for the last 5000 years. It is generally used as vegetables, spices, or as medicines. India ranks second to China in area and production in garlic, but 74th taken rank in terms of productivity. These crops are generally grown throughout the country especially in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttaranchal, Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. The onion and garlic crop is attacked by many diseases at different crop growth stages which causes considerable losses in yield. Apart from reduction in crop yield, the disease also poses harmful effects during harvesting, postharvesting, processing and marketing stages, which lower the quality and export potential of the crops that significantly causes the economic loss. Hence, the major diseases of onion and garlic are discussed in this chapter.