ARGE Knoblauch

Short description

In Austria there exist great challenges as far as the way of dealing with fungal diseases in garlic is concerned: On the one hand a precise identification of the pathogen is often difficult, on the other hand neither adequate preventive measures nor more appropriate or authorised solutions (e.g. plant protection products) are available. The project aims at developing concrete methods for the identification as well as the prevention and the control of fungal infections. In this way yield losses shall be reduced and the high product quality of garlic from organic and integrated production shall be safeguarded.

Point of departure

Pathogenic fungi constitute a great challenge for the Austrian garlic production. In the course of the past few years the problem has aggravated due to changing weather conditions. Fungi infections cause considerable yield losses in the course of all production steps (on the field, during processing as well as storage). In particular hidden fungi infections, which do not cause visual damage before the garlic arrives at the storehouse or is in the process of trade, are problematic, therefore the farms are exposed to great pressure on the part of food retail trade, which demands a smoothly functioning supply of the markets. The Austrian demand for garlic is covered for the most part by imported goods, even though there is great demand for high-quality regional goods. The market share of Austrian garlic has multiplied by four to 25% in the course of the past ten years, however, this development has been slowed down, in particular by fungi infections. Presently there is mostly a lack of knowledge about dominant pathogens, moreover an unequivocal identification of pathogens on the basis of the contents of garlic is problematic. Even in the case of a clear identification of the pathogens it is difficult to deal with the infection, as neither clear preventive measures nor solutions (e.g. spraying applications or dressing) with appropriate and authorised plant protection products (organic as well as chemical) are available.

Project implementation and measures

1. Development of test systems for the examination of garlic and soil for colonialization by harmful fungi
2. Application of these test systems for the examination of the fungi infestation of various garlic varieties and soil samples of various locations
3. Identification of potential causes, sources of infection and options of spreading in the whole production
4. Examination of the development of the disease on the field, including the identification of critical infection times
5. Examination of harvesting, drying and storage methods for their influence on the infection rate
6. Development of recommendations for actions in order to prevent an infestation