Resistant, resilient and long storing garlic varieties for organic farming systems and markets

View the project final report

Commodities

• Vegetables: garlic

Practices

• Crop Production: varieties and cultivars
• Education and Training: on-farm/ranch research, participatory research
• Pest Management: genetic resistance
• Production Systems: organic agriculture

Garlic is an important crop for organic vegetable growers and small seed companies in Oregon and California. Some farmers increase economic value by processing garlic into braids, pestos, powders and salts. Garlic grows during Oregon’s wet season (planted October, harvested July) so is a crop that can be grown even with increasingly scarce late season water availability. If organic garlic is to increase its market share, garlic varieties suited to this region with resistance/resilience to garlic rust and other diseases and problems must be identified. Garlic rust became a significant problem in California in 1998, reducing yields by up to 50% and soluble solids by 15%. California organic farms control rust through spatial rotation, sanitation, and marginally effective sulfur applications; rust reduces yields there by 25-50%. Rust was sporadic in Oregon before 2010 but now reduces yields by up to 40%. Fusarium basal rot is a significant disease in California. While less important in cooler Oregon, 10-20% damage was observed in Oregon fields in 2014 and 2015.

Seed savers, garlic farmers, and garlic seed producers (Garlicana and Deerfield Farm) have been evaluating garlic germplasm in this region. While garlic primarily reproduces clonally/asexually, some types reproduce sexually (true seed); Garlicana and Deerfield have been growing and selecting garlic from true seed for regional performance but not disease resistance. Variety trials were conducted in CA in the 1990s to identify rust resistant garlic varieties but no significant resistance was identified in the varieties tested. Research in Spain and Colorado identified rust resistance and Wisconsin research identified Fusarium basal rot resistance in USDA NPGS garlic germplasm; rust resistance was identified in varieties derived from seed of NPGS germplasm.

The goals of this project are to:

1: Identify and collect garlic varieties/germplasm with organic market, disease resistance, and storage potential

2: Engage farmers, seed growers, and buyers in the development of garlic evaluation criteria for diverse uses and markets

3: Screen garlic varieties/germplasm for disease resistance and other evaluation criteria developed in Objective 2.

4: Engage organic garlic growers and buyers in project findings.

Seed stock of at least 100 garlic varieties/accessions will be accessed from: USDA NPGS (National Plant Germplasm System); Deerfield Farm (tissue-culture); Garlicana (clonal and true-seed); Other seed/farm sources; and Seed Savers Exchange. Through discussions at meeting one (and pre-meeting surveys of farmers and buyers), garlic uses, markets, and evaluation criteria will be described.

Varieties will be evaluated in replicated experiments in one location in California and two locations in western Oregon. Disease severity and other measurements/photos will be taken as determined by the evaluation criteria. Bulbs and cloves will be weighed and photographed. Garlic will be stored and percent rotten, sprouted, and desiccated bulbs will be evaluated monthly.

Project farmers will interact with and taste garlic and discuss project findings at winter meetings. Other farmers/buyers will interact with varieties and learn about results through booths, tastings, presentations and workshops, and an article describing garlic varieties.

We anticipate that farmers will increase their understanding of garlic varieties and their uses, markets and performance, as well as their knowledge of garlic problems and their management. They will adopt new garlic cultivars to improve performance and/or add uses/markets.

Objective 1: Identify and collect garlic varieties/germplasm with organic market, disease resistance, and storage potential

Objective 2: Engage farmers, seed growers, and buyers in the development of garlic evaluation criteria for diverse uses and markets

Objective 3: Screen garlic varieties/germplasm for disease resistance and other evaluation criteria developed in Objective 2.

Objective 4: Engage organic garlic growers and buyers in project findings.