| GARLIC TECHNICAL | |||
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Introduction
In spite
of the importance of the crop, not much research work has been carried out
in garlic in the past and it is only recently that systematic research has
started. Some of the important varieties of garlic that have been developed
are Godavari and Sweta at MPKV, Rahuri; HG 1 and HG 6 at CCSHAU, Hisar;
Pusa Sel at IARI, New Delhi; LCG 1 at PAU, Ludhiana; ARU 52 at VPKAS, Almora;
and Agrifound White (G 41), Yamuna Safed (G 1), Yamuna Safed 2 (G 50), G
282 and Agrifound Parvati at NHRDF. These varieties are mostly small-bulbed
and have more number (20-30) of smaller cloves. G 282 and Agrifound Parvati
have bigger bulbs with bigger cloves, and cloves are fewer in number. In 1998, the Regional Research Station at Karnal of National Horticultural Research & Development Foundation (NHRDF) decided to train more than 1000 farmers from Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Punjab in cultivation of improved varieties of garlic suitable for exports. The NHRDF has developed two varieties of garlic, G 282 and G-313, which are suitable for export. Presently G- 282 is being cultivated in Karnal, Ambala, Kurukshetra and Panipat in Haryana; Budaun, Etah, Mainpuri and Barielly in Uttar Pradesh, and Mandsaur, Indore, Ujjain and Rattam in Madhya Pradesh. Some local cultivars are also grown in different parts of the country. Two distinct types, viz. Fawari and Rajalle Gaddi, are grown in Bellary district. Some other local strains are Madrasi, Tabiti, Creole, Eknalia, T 56-4 and Jamnagar. The garlic is propagated vegetatively
by cloves. Bulbils produced in some varieties are also used as planting
material. Tissue-culture technique has also been developed to produce healthy
garlic plants. There are various methods of planting like dibbling, furrow
planting and broadcasting which differ with area. The broadcasting method
is used mostly in Gujarat while in Lahaul and Spiti districts of Himachal
Pradesh bulbils are first sown in nursery and then transplanted after 45
days in main field at a proper distance. Expert point out increased yield of better quality is obtained by cloves of 8-10 mm diameter. It is recommended to carefully select bigger cloves from the outer side of the bulbs as long, and avoid long slender cloves present in the centre as such cloves give poorly developed bulb. In order to plant one hectare approximately 500 kg cloves of 8-10 mm diameter are required. As a seed standard average diameter of each bulb shall not be less than 2.5 cm or weight not less than 25 g. It should be clean, healthy and firm and conform to the varietal characteristics. The bulbs not conforming to varietal characteristics should not exceed 0.1% and 0.2% (by number) for foundation and certified seeds respectively. Cut, bruised, cracked and immature bulbs should not exceed more than 2% (by weight). The isolation distance is kept 5 m to avoid mechanical mixtures. Insect pests and diseases are same as in onion. The manure and fertilizers requirements
of garlic are 60-150 kg N, 50 kg P and 50-120 kg K/ha for different parts
of the country. Besides, organic manure (farmyard manure) 50 tonnes/ha is
also recommended. According to the Department of Agricultural Research and Education, ICAR, Government of India, application of 50 kg N and 60 kg K2O/ha has been recommended for highest yield (8.8 tonnes/ha) and cost: benefit ratio (1:2:63) in garlic GG 2 at Junagarh in 1999-2000. In general garlic needs irrigation at an interval of 8 days and of 10-15 days during maturation. The garlic crop is ready for harvesting when tops turn yellowish or brownish and show signs of drying up and bend over. Depending on season and soil, the bulbs begin to mature in 4-5 months after planting. The bulbs are cured in field for about a week after harvesting. In order to avoid damage from sun, the bulbs are covered along with the tops of each other. After this the bulbs are cured for another 7-8 days in shade either with tops or after cutting tops by leaving 2.5 cm. Curing in shade may be on a floor having ventilation from bottom or a wire racks. Grading is done according to size, colour and shape. Relative humidity is a crucial factor in the storage of garlic. At relative humidity higher than 70%, moulds would develop and start root growth in bulbs stored for 6-8 months at any temperature. Cold storage of garlic is possible at 0°-2.2°C temperature and 60-70% relative humidity. Irradiation with 6 krad of cobalt 60 gamma rays has also been recommended for successful storage. Storage life of garlic is prolonged and loss in weight is reduced by spraying maleic hydrazide 3,000 ppm, 3 weeks before harvest. |
