stalks breaking at ground level need diagnosis!!

several plants are experiencing a bulbuos growth at ground level and this bulb has ruptured and the skin on the stalk has split- had to stake plants because the stalk will not support its own weight- will tape with paper tape at this time to seal wound- do not know if this is insect- nute or just a sympton of the extreme drought and heat i am experiencing at this time- have watered daily lately because of dry conditions- my flower gardens around the house wilt each day even though they are watered each evening- any and all help greatly appreciated in a diagnosis

foot-note to above post- i just noticed ants in the soil at this garden- possibly attracte to the molasses i have been using- even if this is not my plants problems what is best way to kill ants in a outside grow