Developing New Integrated Strategies for Controlling White Rot in Garlic

White rot caused by Sclerotium cepivorum Berk is a significant threat to garlic and onion industry in the United States. The pathogen produces a great number of poppy seed-sized sclerotia, which can survive in soil for many years. Populations of just a few sclerotia per liter soil can potentially cause severe disease and result in crop failure. Once the land has been infested, it is generally considered not suitable for garlic or onion production for up to 40 or more years. One of the most effective methods was fumigation with methyl bromide, but it is not cost effective and has been phased out due to its harmful environmental effects.