Garlic - Buggy whipped leaves

Question: Garlic planted last fall. came up early this spring.  Right beside a corn field.  Years ago I saw similar damage in corn when 2,4-D was sprayed into the whorle of the plant.  See pictures below

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 13, 2023, 9:09 AM EDT
response: Thanks for the question.  Having grown garlic for many years, my initial question to you is when did you first observe this yellowing of the leaves and stem curvatures?  Given the size of the leaves, I assume that everything looked fine when they first appeared.  Correct? Then afterwards this yellowing occurred.  Was this a very quick transition, over just a day or two? Or did this condition gradually appear over the course of several days?  You indicated that your garlic patch is next to a corn field.  My last, obvious question is to the best of your knowledge has this corn field been recently treated with some herbicide?  Looking forward to your responses.  Thanks for using our forum

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 15, 2023, 10:46 PM EDT
response: The garlic, planted last fall, came up beautifully this spring.  The yellowing of the top started probably 3 weeks ago.  I just noticed the curving stems just the last week.  It may have been before that and I just didn't notice.   The farmer sprayed the corn last week, but I'm sure the curling was happening before that.  The two tomato plants near it are looking pretty sick also.  Let me know if you would like a picture of those also. I'm thinking it may be something with the soil. Two years ago, I brought in a little black dirt from the city compost.  A tomato plant I planted there that first year was stunted for weeks, not growing.  I transplanted it to another location, then it grew fine.  Last year I planted green beans and peppers in that area, and they seemed to do okay.  I assumed whatever was in the soil was gone.  But maybe not.   It's not a big deal so I'm not too concerned.  I was just hoping you may have a theory.  I could send in a soil test, but I don't know what I should ask the lab to look for.   Gregg     From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> Sent: Tuesday, June 13, 2023 8:09 AM To: Gregg Tangeman <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: Garlic - Buggy whipped leaves (#0105224)

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 18, 2023, 7:48 PM EDT
response: Thanks for getting back to us. Go to the following site regarding having your soil tested: https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/testing-services Before sending in your soil sample, contact them and describe your situation. There are several optional tests they can do besides their standard ones. With their assistance determine which, of any, of these optional tests might be appropriate. Just one other thought. I still have a slight suspicion that herbicide drift might be a factor. Just because this may not be attributable to your neighbor farmer, if others in your area were spraying, the herbicide might have been carried to your gardens due to volatilization. Depending upon the wind velocity, this drift can occur over distances approaching a mile See: https://extension.psu.edu/herbicide-drift-and-drift-related-damage https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-news/noticing-herbicide-drift-your-garden https://extension.psu.edu/herbicide-drift-and-drift-related-damage - :~:text=Remember that drift—especially vapor,always caused by high winds). Thanks for using our forum.