India: New early maturing garlic variety
The new variety gives an average yield of 6-7 tonnes per hectare with good storage capacity. The variety is registered with National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi. The day length for bulbing is 10-12 hours and it can be grown on a any soil, but thrives better in fertile, well drained loam soils.
About 500-700 kg of planting materials are required for planting in one hectare. Because of small cloves it is advisable to plant it at a spacing of 10 x 7.5 cm to get optimum bulb yield. About 25 tonnes of well decomposed organic manures, 100 kg N, 50 kg phosphate and 50 kg potash per hectare through chemical fertilizers have been recommended.
Use of zinc and boron and application of sulphur at 30-50 kg/ha also helps to improve yield and quality of bulbs. Drip irrigation can be used for high yield and quality bulbs.
Irrigation
Pendimethalin at 3.5 litre or oxiflurofen (goal) at 2.5 litre/ha + one hand weeding help control of broad leaves weeds. Irrigation should be stopped 15-20 days before harvesting as otherwise it can re-sprout and decrease yield.
The crop is ready for harvesting when it turns light yellow or brow and shows signs of drying. Curing is an additional process of drying to remove excess moisture.
For more information:
R. K. Singh
National Horticultural Research & Development Foundation
E-mail: singhrknbpgr@yahoo.com
or rks@nhrdf.com
R. P. Gupta
National Horticultural Research & Development Foundation
E-mail: nhrdf_nsk@sanchrnet.in