MARKET DISEASES OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 5 



WATERY SOFT ROT 



(Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) DBy.) 



Watery soft rot of asparagus in early stages is similar in appear- 

 ance to fusarium rot but is of less common occurrence, The later 

 stages can usually be distinguished from fusarium rot by the more 

 luxuriant white cottony mold, the presence of sclerotia, and the fact 

 that the mold never turns pink. 



Affected tissues are watery, odorless, and characterized by the pres- 

 ence of the cottony, white growth of the mold. The decay causes 

 losses both in the field and during the marketing process. Contam- 

 inated soil and water, or infected shoots packed unknowingly, are 

 the source of the decay that develops during transit. Neither the 

 fungus nor the lesions need be visible on the product when it is 

 packed in order for decay to develop during transit. 



For a detailed discussion of the cause and relation of environ- 

 mental factors and control, see Celery, Watery Soft Hot, page 56. 



(See 204.) 



Garlic and Onions 



Garlic (Allium sativum L.), onion (A. cepa L.), and their close 

 relatives, leek (A. porrum L.), chive (A. schoenoprasum L.), shallot 

 (A. ascalonicum L.), and the Welsh onion ( A. fistulosurn L.), all be- 

 long to the lily family. They are used as food, both fresh and cooked, 

 and for flavoring and seasoning. 



The plants consist of long, slender, erect leaves that arise from an 

 extremely short stem or scale plate, from the lower side of which 

 originate numerous fibrous roots. Toward the close of the growing 

 period, the terminal bud develops into a long, slender, hollow flower 

 stalk, on which either flowers and seed or "top onions," or bulblets, 

 are produced. In the onion, leek, shallot, and garlic the leaves or 

 scales have a tendency to be fleshy near the scale plate, thus giving 

 rise to a bulb. In the onion, the outer dry papery scales of the bulb 

 portion may be white, red, yellow, or brown, depending upon the 

 variety and these afford the bulb protection from drying out and from 

 attack by parasites. The tops of the fleshy scales are green. When 

 onions are grown for table use as green onions, they are pulled before 

 the bulb develops. In certain species of Allium there is a decided 

 tendency toward proliferation at the base so that a cluster of small 

 bulbs results, as in shallots, garlic, or the multiplier onion. Onion 

 sets are produced by arresting the growth of the young plant or from 

 the bulblets of "top onions" or of "multipliers." 



Firmness of the bulb is an important factor in the marketability 

 of onions and the bulbous members of the onion group. Lack of 

 firmness generally indicates incomplete development. This may re- 

 sult from unfavorable soil conditions, especially lack of water, from 

 root diseases, or from premature death of the tops. The last may 

 result from unfavorable climatic factors, insect and fungus attack, 

 or premature topping. Immature bulbs tend to dry out and shrivel 

 abnormally after being harvested. 



The onion and its relatives are subject to a considerable number of 

 diseases. Some of these occur on the plant in the field, affecting the 



