Hi
Cultivation Practices
» GARLIC (Package of Practices)
Garlic (Allium sativum) belongs to Alliaceae family. It is an annual herb, cultivated mainly for bulbs. Major Garlic producing states are M.P., Gujarat, Rajasthan, Orissa, U.P., Maharashtra, Punjab & Haryana. It is used mainly as a condiment for its medicinal properties and green leaves.
Climate and Soil
Garlic is a frost tolerant crop. It requires cool and moist climate during growth period and warm dry weather during maturity. Garlic can be cultivated in various types of soils, but well drained fertile loamy soil is suitable for this crop.
Land Preparation
Land should be brought to fine tilth by shallow ploughing 4-5 times, giving sufficient interval between two ploughings. Land should be levelled and divided into small plots and channels to facilitate proper irrigation and intercultural operations.
Time of Planting
The planting differs from region to region. In Gujarat, planting of Garlic is done during October-November. In Maharashtra, M.P., Karnataka & A.P., it is planted from August to October and in northern part of India September to November.
Spacing
General recommendation of spacing for Garlic is 15cm row to row and 10 cm from plant to plant.
Varieties
Godavari, Sweta, HG-1, HG-6, Pusa Sel-10, LCG-1, ARU-52, Agrifound White(G-41), Yamuna Safed(G-1), Yamuna Safed-2(G-50), G-282 and Agrifound Parvati are major varieties of Garlic. Varieties like G-282 and Agrifound Parvati having bigger cloves and bulbs are most suitable for export.
Manures and fertilizers
General recommendation of manures and fertilizers for garlic in normal soil condition is 50 MT FYM, 100 kg Nitrogen, 50 kg Phosphorous and 50 Kg Potash per ha. Full dose of FYM should be incorporated in the soil at the time of land preparation. Half dose of Nitrogen, full dose of Phosphorus & Potash may be applied as basal dose at the time of planting and remaining Nitrogen after one month of planting.
Interculture and weeding
Generally 2 to 3 weeding are recommended. 1st weeding should be done one month after planting, 2nd one month after first weeding and 3rd weeding at later stage of crop. Hoeing at the time of bulb formation ie.2½ months after planting helps in setting of bigger well filled bulbs.
Irrigation
Garlic being a shallow rooted crop, it needs frequent irrigation. There should be no moisture scarcity during growth period. Generally, irrigation should be given at an interval of 8-15 days depending on soil and climate. When crop reaches its maturity (plants pseudo stem begin to bend /break or dry) irrigation should be stopped.
Plant Protection
a) Pest
i) Stem & Bulb Nematode (Ditylenchus dipsaci): It is a tiny worm, which damages the tissues of garlic and reduces the yield significantly. Basal portion of the mature plants swell and become spongy, the leaves and stems become rotten. Soil fumigation with Dichloropropene-Dichloropropane (D-D) mixture before planting @ 500 Kg per ha is recommended for control of Stem & Bulb Nematode.
ii) Onion Thrips (Thrips tabaci): This is a small insect which hides in the leaf axils and feeds on leaves turning it to white or silvery in colour. Spray of 0.1% solution of Malathion or 0.075% solution of Methyl Demeton is effective in controlling thrips. Spray of Phorate @ 1 Kg a.i. per ha at the time of planting and 30 days after planting is also effective.
iii) Mites (Rhizoglyphus callae & Glycohaqus domesticus): These insects attack bulbs stored for longer periods. Fumigation of dry bulbs with Methyl bromide @ 1Kg per 1000 cubic feet space for two hours at 80°F is recommended after harvest and before storage.
Physiological Disorders:
Some physiological disorders like sprouting of bulbs, etc are observed in some varieties of Garlic. This disorder is not of permanent nature and varies from variety to variety.
Harvesting
The crop becomes ready for harvest when the tops turn yellowish or brownish and show sign of drying. It takes about 4-5 months after planting to reach maturity. After harvesting, bulbs are dried in shade. Bulbs should be stored in cool dry place having proper aeration.
Yield
10 - 20 MT / ha.
Regards
Ashwini
