How Long Does Garlic Take To Grow

How Long Does Garlic Take To Grow

Garlic 

Botanical Name     : Allium sativum 

Family                      : Alliaceae 

Chromosome No.  : 2n = 16 

                                                                                                      

Garlic (Allium sativum) is a major spice crop, as well as it is used in the treatment of diseases. Garlic is cultivated in all parts of India but mainly it is cultivated on a large scale in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Orissa, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu, but more than 50 percent production takes place in the states of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. There is a continuous increase in the area, production and productivity of garlic. Garlic production in Indore and Mandsaur Madhya Pradesh, Angul Orissa, Junnar Taluka Maharashtra, Mainpuri, Etah and Etawah Uttar Pradesh, Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Ajmer and Udaipur Rajasthan. Small leaf garlic is cultivated in the plains of India. Recently, large leaf varieties have started being cultivated in the plains of North India and Madhya Pradesh. Large leaf garlic is also grown in Himachal Pradesh and Nilgiri Hills.

History and Origin - The origin place of garlic is considered to be Central Asia. Its second origin place is considered to be the Mediterranean region. From there it reached other parts of the world. Information is not available as to when its cultivation started in India.

Utility – Garlic is used in various ways. It is used in vegetables and non-vegetarian food for fragrance. Apart from this, it is also used in chutney, pickle, curry, tomato ketchup etc. It is used in various types of medicines, such as eye, ear and stomach diseases. Its oil is also used as medicine. Scientists of Bhabha Atomic Research Center, Trombay have recently discovered that garlic oil can be used like poisonous insecticide chemicals. Mosquito larvae die completely with the use of oil. By spraying it on the eggs of house flies, cotton red bug, potato tubermoth and red palm beetle, their babies do not come out.

Nutritive Value - The food value of garlic is shown in the table -

                                    (Nutrition Value of Garlic per 100 gm) 

Moisture                         : 62.2 g Protein                            : 6.3 g Fat                                   : 0.10 g Fiber                               : 0.80 g Minerals                         : 1.00 g Other Carbohydrates   : 29.00 g Calcium                         : 30.00 mg Phosphorus                   : 310.00 mg Iron                                : 1.30 mg Riboflavin                     : 0.16 mg Nicotinic Acid               : 0.40 mg Vitamin C                      : 13.0 mg Vitamin A                      : None Calories                          : 142.00

 

How To Plant Garlic

Climate - Garlic can be grown in different types of climates. However, it is unable to tolerate very hot or very cold temperatures.

It grows well in cool and humid climates, while dry weather is required at the time of ripening. Garlic bulbs are formed in long days and high temperatures. Garlic can be grown up to 1000-1300 meters above sea level. There are two types of garlic varieties, namely long and short day varieties. Generally, more production is done in cool climates than in hot ones. The critical day length for the formation of bulbs is 12 hours. Apart from the length of the day, temperature also affects the formation of bulbs. 20 degrees centigrade or less temperature helps in the formation of bulbs. Whereas very low temperatures have an adverse effect on their formation.

Soil - Loamy soil is suitable for its production, although it can be cultivated in sandy loam to clay soils. The soil which has a high amount of organic matter and good drainage system is considered best for its cultivation. In sandy or loose soil, its tubers do not develop properly, due to which there is less yield. Similarly, in heavy soil, the size of the tubers is not good. Soils whose pH value is between 6-7 are considered best for garlic. Highly alkaline and saline soils are considered unsuitable for garlic production.

Improved varieties

In order to get more yield of garlic, its improved varieties should be grown.

The characteristics of the varieties developed by National Horticultural Research and Development Institute are mentioned below-

(1) Agrifound White (G 41) – The scales of this variety are solid, skin is silvery white, pulp is creamy, tubers are large and 25-24 copies are found in each tuber. This variety matures in 150-160 days. It gives 130-145 quintals of yield per hectare. This variety has been recommended for cultivation in states like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka etc. In Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, diseases like blight and purple spot occur during the formation of its tubers but the tubers are formed immediately. Hence, there is no significant difference in the yield.

(2) Yamuna White (G1) – Its tubers are solid and the outer skin is silvery white and the pulp is of white colour. The diameter of the tubers is 4-4.5 cm. 24-30 buds develop in each tuber. The crop is ready in 150-160 days. This variety has been recommended for cultivation in entire India.

(3) Yamuna White - 2 (G50) -  Its tubers are solid, the skin is white and the pulp is of creamy white colour. This variety gets ready in 165-170 days. It is tolerant to diseases like blight and purple spot. The yield is 150-155 quintals per hectare.

(4) G 51 – This variety is similar to G 50. The diameter of its corms is 3-40-3-60 cm. 20-26 buds are found in each corm. This variety gets ready in 165-170 days. The yield is 150-155 quintals per hectare. This variety is very good from the export point of view.

(5) G 282 – The corms of this variety are white and the pulp is creamy in colour. The diameter of each corm is 5-87 cm. Each corm is 1-04-105 cm thick. Each corm has 15-18 buds. This variety gets ready in 140-150 days. The yield per hectare is 175-200 quintals. This variety is very good for export.

(6) Agrifound Parvati (G 313) – Its corms are large (5-7 cm), light white with purple mixed color and have 10-12 buds. Each corm weighs 4.0-4.5 grams. This variety gets ready in 250-220 days. The yield per hectare is 175-200 quintals. The color of its tuber is creamy. This variety has been found suitable for growing in the mountains. Its sowing is done in September-October and digging is done in May.

    How Do You Plant Garlic

Other improved varieties - Godavari, Shweta, HG 1, HG 6, Pusa Selection 10, LCG-1, ARU 52, IC 49382, 42891, Selection 1, 2 BLG 7, Solan Type 56-4.

AVG 1 -  The tubers of this variety are white, the plants are joint medium size and the leaves are long and thin. This variety is ready in 150-175 days. Its average yield per hectare is 150 quintals. This variety is suitable for cultivation in Haryana. 1

Land preparation - The field should be ploughed 4-5 times. Ploughing should be done shallowly, because the roots of garlic do not go deeper than 8-10 cm. Then the land should be levelled by using a patta. Beds and irrigation channels should be made in the field. The width of the beds should be such that weeding can be done easily while sitting on the ridges. The length of the beds should be kept according to the irrigation facility.

Manure and Fertilizer - Garlic requires a lot of manure and fertilizers. Therefore, it is advisable to use manure and fertilizers after getting the soil tested. If for some reason, soil testing is not possible, then in that case the following amount of manure and fertilizers must be used per hectare-

Farm Yard Manure  -  50 tons

Nitrogen  - 100 kg

Phosphorus  - 50 kg

Potash  - 50 kg

Boron  - 5 kg

Zinc  - 5 kg

Molybdenum  - 5 kg

Farm Yard Manure should be applied before the first ploughing. At the time of final ploughing, 75 kg of NPK mixture in the ratio of 18:2:3 and the full amount of boron, zinc and molybdenum should be applied. This amount is considered ideal for garlic.

Half the amount of nitrogen, full amount of phosphorus and potash should be given at the time of final ploughing and half amount of nitrogen should be given as top dressing after sowing.

Sowing time - Sowing time of garlic depends on where it is grown. To get good yield, sowing is done till October-November in the plains of northern India. But in hilly areas, it is sown in March-April. In Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, it is sown in August. In some places where the climate is good, it is also sown in the month of May. In the Nilgiri hills, sowing is done in early May and in October.

Seed quantity - Garlic is propagated through cloves obtained from corms. About 500-750 kg of cloves are sufficient for planting in one hectare area.

Method of sowing - Three methods are used for sowing garlic, which are mentioned below-

(1) Dibbling - In this method, the field is divided into small beds according to the irrigation means. Then the seedlings are placed upwards and the seeds are sown at a depth of 5-7 cm. Then they are covered with a thin layer of soil.

(2) Furrow planting - In this method, furrows are made at appropriate distances with the help of a hand hoe. Seedlings are put in these furrows by hand. Then they are covered with soil.

(3) Broadcasting - In this method, seedlings are scattered evenly in flat beds. Then they are covered by running a harrow.

The seedlings are planted at appropriate distances, which depends on the varieties. The planting distance is kept different in different parts of the country, which is mentioned below.

   How To Plant Garlic Cloves

In Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and other areas, the distance between varieties having large corms is kept 15 cm x 8 cm. Whereas in Haryana, the distance between varieties having thick corms is kept 10 cm x 7.5 cm. Keeping too much distance results in the formation of corms with thick necks, whereas keeping too less distance leads to the outbreak of a disease called purple blotch.

Irrigation - The first irrigation should be done immediately after sowing garlic. After this, irrigation should be done at an interval of 10-15 days in winters and every week in summers. At the time when corms are being formed, irrigation should be done frequently. There should not be lack of moisture in the soil during the growth period of the crop, otherwise it has an adverse effect on the development of corms, which leads to a huge reduction in the yield. Tests have shown that in the early crop, two irrigations (20 mm) should be given in August-September and three irrigations in October-November as per requirement.

Weed control - Many weeds grow along with garlic crop which consume moisture and nutrients from the soil which adversely affects the growth and development of the plants. Hence, weed control is extremely necessary.

Usually, farmers do weeding and hoeing for weed control which takes a lot of time and labour and many plants also get cut. Hence, it is advisable to use chemicals for weed control which are mentioned below -

Spraying of Pendimethalin and Oxydiazine before germination has been found to be very effective. Dissolve 1.5 kg of Tribunal, 2 kg of Nitrofen or 2.0-2.5 litres of Vasalin in 625 litres of water and spray it 5-7 days after sowing. Weeds can also be controlled by spraying 3.5 litres of Pendimethalin per hectare and weeding once after 45 days.

Crop Protection

Insects - Various types of insects attack the garlic crop, of which thrips, mite and cutworm are the main ones. These insects cause a lot of damage to the garlic crop.

Thrips (Thrips tubaci) - These insects suck the juice of the leaves, due to which shiny silver-like stripes or brown spots appear on the leaves. These are very small yellow or white colored insects, which usually roam around at the base of the stem or in the middle of the leaves.

Control - As soon as they infest, 0.05% monocrotophos, methyl demeton or neem formula should be sprayed.

Mite (Aceria tulipi) - Due to the infestation of this insect, spots are formed on the leaves and the plants remain dwarf.

Control - As soon as they infest, 0.05% dimethoate or ethion should be sprayed.

Cutworm (Katuwa) - This insect attacks the plants at night. These insects cut the base of the plants.

Control - As soon as this insect attacks, spray 0.5 kg of Carbofuran / Phorate or add 500 kg of Neem Cake at the time of soil preparation.

How Long Does Garlic Take To Grow

Diseases

Purple spot (Purple blotch) - This is a fungus borne disease. This disease occurs more when farmers sow it too close. Purple spots are formed on the leaves due to which the development and growth of the leaves stops.

Control - In case of the attack of this disease, spray Indofil M 45 (2.5 grams per liter of water) at an interval of 10-15 days. While spraying the medicine, make sure to add adhesive medicine like Triton, Sandovid or ordinary glue so that the solution sticks to the leaves.

Digging - Digging of garlic depends on its variety. The corms of most varieties are ready in 130-180 days depending on the soil and weather, while G 282 is an early maturing variety. When the leaves of the plants turn yellow or brown and start drying, irrigation should be stopped. Garlic should be dug out a few days after this. After this, the corms are separated from the tubers leaving 2.0-2-5 cm of leaves, then dried in the shade for 3-4 days. In ordinary storage, they are kept in a thin layer. Keep in mind that the floor should not be wet.

Yield - The yield of garlic depends on many things, among which the variety, fertility of the soil and crop care are the main ones. Long day varieties give more yield. Usually 100-200 quintals of yield is obtained per hectare.