Stromatinia cepivora

[2] The infective sclerotia remain viable in the soil for many years and are stimulated to germinate by the presence of a susceptible crop.

Sclerotium cepivorum is the asexual reproductive form of Stromatinia cepivora and is a plant pathogen, causing white rot in Allium species, particularly onions, leeks, and garlic.

[3] On a worldwide basis, white rot is probably the most serious threat to Allium crop production of any disease.

The sclerotia can remain viable in the soil for years and germinate with a susceptible host to cause disease; therefore it is important to practice good sanitation efforts.

Making sure to clean machinery, boots and equipment will help to stop the spread of disease from an infected field.

With infection occurring in cooler weather (50–70 °F (10–21 °C)), planting the crops at the right time is also important to not institute disease.

The disease attacks at all stages of growth, which leaves the plant to turn yellow and wilt when fully developed because the roots are rotting.

[3] These survival structures (sclerotia) can detach and persist for years in a dormant state, waiting for a susceptible host.

These small black globular structures are resistant to adverse temperatures and can remain dormant in the soil for years even without a host.

[10] To control the disease there needs to be a reduction in the number of sclerotia in the soil so fungus growth can be halted and unable to grow.

This is a survival structure in the life cycle of the pathogen that can stay active in the soil up to 30 years without a suitable host.

An example of a sanitation practice is washing the equipment with water and making sure all remnants of soil are gone so it cannot spread to a different allotment.

[12] Therefore, DADS is applied artificially in the field with no Allium species, which in turn has sclerotia germinate and unable to find a host and die rather than lay dormant in the soil.

[6] Dipping seed garlic in water at 115 °F (46 °C) is effective, but higher temperatures may kill the cloves.

It is also important to note that once an infection is found there are no chemical controls to stop or reduce disease during that season.

[14] The three-cornered leek (Allium triquetrum) has been introduced into Australia where it has spread and become established in nutrient-deficient, damp habitats.

However, the researchers involved in the study acknowledged, "Releasing a virulent pathogen for cultivated Allium species into bushland or pasture is controversial and any field release would require safeguards against spread to areas suitable for the production of cultivated Allium species, such as onions, leeks and garlic, before S. cepivora could be introduced as a potential biological control agent.