China is by far the leading producer of garlic in the world, annually growing approximately 10.5 billion kilograms. Chinese garlic accounts for over 77% of world production. Following devastating outbreaks of leaf blight, research was conducted to determine the most effective means of controlling the disease.

“From autumn 2004 to spring 2008, leaf blight was found on garlic leaves in Dangyang County, Hubei, China, with the crop area affected estimated to be over 7000 ha. Garlic yield was reduced by 30% on average, with up to 70% yield losses in some fields during the winter growing season.”

“Epidemiology, cultivar resistance, and chemical controls were investigated during the 2006 to 2008 growing seasons in Dangyang County to improve disease control methods. … Relatively few of the commonly grown cultivars had high levels of resistance to leaf blight. … Fungicide applications in the field were effective in controlling leaf blight… As well, once symptoms are observed, field applications of the fungicides flusilazole (± famoxadone) or mancozeb are recommended to further combat disease.”

Authors: Lu Zheng¹, Rujing LV¹, Junbin Huang¹, Daohong Jiang¹, Xuhong Liu², Tom Hsiang³
Affiliation: ¹ Huazong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China; ² Plant Protection Station, Dangyang County, Hubei, China; ³ University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Title: Integrated control of garlic leaf blight caused by Stemphylium solani in China.
Publication: Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology. 2010. 32(2):135-145.