Journal of Plant Pathology & Microbiology

Abstract

Effects of Garlic Rust (Puccinia allii) on Yield and Yield Components of Garlic in Bale Highlands, South Eastern Ethiopia

Yonas Worku and Mashilla Dejene

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is one of the most important crops grown in Bale highlands. Garlic rust caused by Puccinia allii is the major disease of garlic in almost all garlic producing regions of Ethiopia. To determine the effects of this disease on yield and yield components of garlic, field experiment was conducted using two garlic varieties, namely the improved variety MM-98 and a local variety at Sinana Agricultural Research Center (SARC), Ethiopia. Five different spray intervals of a systemic fungicide, Tebuconazole (Folicur), were used to create different levels of rust severity. The plots were arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in factorial arrangement with three replications. There was severe garlic rust development on the plots. The spray intervals created significantly different rust severity levels. The disease inflicted total yield losses as high as 58.75. The results from this study confirmed that garlic rust can cause considerable losses on the crop in areas where it is prevalent. Hence, application of control measures to minimize the loss is justifiable. Fungicide can be used to effective control of the disease. Its application should be started at very low level of severity and frequent application should be used if the prevailing weather condition seems very conducive for development of the disease. But, the frequency of application should be based on economic analysis with consideration of the costs of fungicide application and return from yield recovery.