Stunting, yellowing, and dieback of foliage of onions, garlic or moldy bulbs
The first symptoms of stunting, yellowing, and dieback of foliage of onions, garlic, and other family members can be a symptom of a very destructive fungal disease called white rot. When bulbs are pulled out of the soil they are either coated with a white to gray colored fuzz or with a crusty covering that is embedded with thousands of tiny black sclerotia (reproductive structures). The sclerotia can live in the soil for years without the benefit of host plants.
![yellowing and wilting garlic foliage](/sites/extension.umd.edu/files/styles/optimized/public/2021-03/hgic_veg_disease_WhiteRot_5459173_600.jpg?itok=mrlTzhMA)
Bruce Watt, University of Maine, Bugwood.org
![white rot infested garlic bulbs](/sites/extension.umd.edu/files/styles/optimized/public/2021-03/hgic_veg_disease_white_rot_garlic_400.jpg?itok=5LuJtaqj)
Management
- Always buy certified disease-free vegetative planting stock (garlic, onion sets, etc.) and seedlings.
- Never plant garlic purchased from a grocery store. It may be a symptomless carrier of the disease.
- Remove and dispose of infected plants. Do not attempt to compost these plants.
- Work in a lot of compost to infected beds and don't plant allium family members for 4-5 years.