Jerry Brust, IPM Vegetable Specialist, University of Maryland; jbrust@umd.edu
Before 2010 I think I would get one call a year from a garlic grower with a problem, now it seems I get 10X the number of calls about garlic problems. Most of the problems are from bulb mites or garlic bloat nematodes. Bulb mites are extremely tiny and are a problem of garlic and sometimes of onion that usually goes unrecognized—until too late. These pests can reduce stands, slow plant vigor, and increase post-harvest diseases by their feeding on the bulb, roots and the stem plate (Fig. 1). Bulb mites have a very wide host range, but cause most of their damage to onions and garlic. These mite pests prefer crawling into the crevices between the roots and stem plate where they feed.
The best way to determine whether these mites are present is to carefully dissect the region where the roots and bulb come together. The mites also could be under one or two layers of scales at the lower end of the bulb. There are often other mites present, but with a hand lens the bulb mites usually can be identified from other mites.
The mite is bulb shaped with its legs moved forward and a bulbous rear end and many long fine hairs. The mouthparts and legs are purplish-brown while the main body is creamy white. These mites have been described as looking like tiny pearls with legs. The mites are extremely small (from 0.02 to 0.04 inches) and usually are slow moving. They are usually found in clusters underneath scales and at the base of the roots.
It is not just the direct feeding of these mites on garlic and onions that causes problems, but also that their feeding allows pathogens to enter through the wounds they create. These wounds are very good entry points for pathogens like Fusarium spp., Sclerotium cepivorum (causes the disease white rot), and various soft-rotting bacteria. The white rot fungus does best in cool temperatures, and symptoms include white fungal growth on the stem or bulb with small, dark structures called sclerotia in the decayed tissue. Early in the growing season, bulb mites can cause poor plant stands and stunted growth as they feed on the plants. Infested plants easily can be pulled out of the soil because of the poor root growth. Later in the season, higher than normal amounts of soft rot and Fusarium dry rot may be seen because of the wounds caused by these mites.
Bulb mites survive in the soil on organic matter left behind from the previous crop. As long as there is decaying allium vegetable matter in the soil, bulb mites can survive in the field. The best way to control bulb mites is to allow the vegetation from the previous crop to breakdown before any new crop, especially garlic or onions are planted again. These mites may also come into a clean field on infested garlic cloves. The use of clean garlic clove seed or seed that has been hot water treated will control these pests. Hot water treatment of bulbs prior to planting can reduce mite populations, but effective temperatures also reduce germination. Effective times and temperatures were 130 º F for 10-20 min, or 140 º F for 10-15 min. It is also possible to get good control when soaking affected cloves for 24 h in 2% soap (not detergent) and 2% mineral oil.
Figure 1. Feeding damage by bulb mites, notice the absence of roots.