THE ADVANCEMENT OF BULBING IN GARLIC (ALLIUM SATIVUM L.) WITH SPECIFIC REFERENCE TO LATE SEASON PRODUCTION IN BANGLADESH

M.A. Rahim, R. Fordham
In Bangladesh, and other tropical regions Sharing a similar climate, the production of garlic is confined to the relatively short, cool winter season following which the onset of rapidly rising temperatures is associated with adverse bulb development and maturation. Highest yields are obtained from early plantings and delays result in poor bulb development and maturation.

The effects of environmental conditions on the growth and development of a tropical cultivar of garlic (c.v. Bangladesh Local) and a temperate one (c.v. Fructidor) have been studied at Wye College under both environmentally controlled and field conditions. These studies indicate that the problems associated with late season production are a consequence of rising temperatures and that the effects are more directly attributable to soil temperatures in excess of 20°C. Bulb development is also affected by pre-planting storage temperatures and advancement of post-planting bulbing was achieved by pre-cooling the small bulbs ("cloves") for between 15–30 days at 5–10°C prior to planting.

The effects of growth regulators on the growth and development of garlic were also studied and the possibility of advancing crop development by soaking cloves in aqueous solutions of either Cycocel at 1000 ppm or Paclobutrazol at 5 ppm prior to planting was demonstrated.

The findings of these studies are summarised and their possible application to field conditions in Bangladesh are discussed. It is proposed that the use of existing cold stores for pre-cooling cloves could provide a practical method for improving garlic production in this country. The role of agronomic practices in reducing the excessive rises in soil temperatures at the end of the growing season is also considered.

Rahim, M.A. and Fordham, R. (1990). THE ADVANCEMENT OF BULBING IN GARLIC (ALLIUM SATIVUM L.) WITH SPECIFIC REFERENCE TO LATE SEASON PRODUCTION IN BANGLADESH. Acta Hortic. 267, 271-278
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.1990.267.34
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1990.267.34

Acta Horticulturae