Skip to main content
ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Pullman, Washington » Plant Germplasm Introduction and Testing Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #153198
Title: GARLIC PESTS AND PEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN WASHINGTON STATE

Author
item SORENSON, E. - WSU COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
item Hannan, Richard
item DANIELS, CATHERINE - WSU COOPERATIVE EXTENSION

Submitted to: National Allium Research Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/15/2002
Publication Date: 12/11/2002
Citation: SORENSON, E.J., HANNAN, R.M., DANIELS, C.H. GARLIC PESTS AND PEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN WASHINGTON STATE. 2002 NATIONAL ALLIUM RESEARCH CONFERENCE. 2002. p. 131-132.

Interpretive Summary: Garlic production in Washington ranks fourth in the United States in both number of farms growing garlic and harvested acres. Garlic acreage has increased substantially in Washington in recent years. Most (79) of the production on the over 90 farms utilize irrigation. The garlic is primarily grown for fresh market, with some for the seed and dehydration industries. This crop profile, located at http://www2.tricity.wsu.edu/~cdaniels/profiles/Garlic.pdf. It provides background about the crop, and detailed information on cultural practices, irrigation, scape removal, weed control, disease control, and insect pest control.

Technical Abstract: Washington State ranks fourth in the U.S. in both the number of farms growing garlic and harvested acres. Acreage has increased substantially in recent years. Weeds pose the major pest management concern for small- and large-scale garlic growers in Washington. Numerous weed species are troublesome in eastern and western Washington. Among the common annual broadleaf weeds are lambsquarters, Russian thistle kochia, mustards, shepherdspurse, and pigweeds. The most important annual grasses are annual bluegrass and barnyard grass. A number of diseases can be troublesome for Washington garlic growers including, basal rot, blue mold, leaf blight, and neck rot. Viruses, which can reduce yields and quality, are a widespread problem in garlic grown in Washington. While many growers do not treat for diseases or insect pests, herbicides are widely used in conjunction with non-chemical control methods. Garlic growers in Washington state integrate a wide variety of cultural methods into their pest management systems. Field selection, crop rotation, and the use of vigorous, pest-free planting material are critical components for a successful garlic crop. Cultivation is a key component of weed control in all garlic fields in Washington. Some small-scale growers use mulch as a component of their weed control program.