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EFFECTS OF STORAGE TEMPERATURE ON GROWTH AND BULB FORMATION IN FOUR GARLIC (ALLIUM SATIVUM L) CULTIVARS

S.M.E. SATTI AND M. LOPEZ

Abstract: Studies on the effect of storage temperature of 0,7 and 25°C before planting were conducted on four garlic cultivars with respect to their leaf initiation, clove differentiation, development and yield under field conditions during 1990/91 season. All cultivars, except Omani, showed less leaf initation at 25°C than at either 0 or 7°c. In contrast, Omani garlic produced more leaves at 25°C than at lower storage temperatures. A varied cultivar response to temperature was noticeable in leaf development over a 15 weeks period from planting. Bulb diameter was greater at low temperatures. Clove differentiation was higher in Omani cultivar and least in Indian cuItivar. Single clove bulbing was found to increase with temperature, reaching .80% at 25°c. Bulb weight and number of days to reach maturity were both favoured by low storage temperature. Bulb yield showed progressive decrease with the increase in storage temperature. However. all cultivars, except Indian, attained a 3 fold increase in bulb yield at OOC than at 25°C.

Department of Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture, P.O. Box 34, Alkoud 123, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.