Effect of bio-fertilizers on growth and yield response of garlic (Allium sativum L.) garlic

Introduction

Garlic is the second most widely used cultivated Allium after onion. It has long been recognized all over the world as a valuable spice for food and a popular remedy for various ailments and physiological disorder. It is grown throughout the plains of India and consumed by most of the people. It is used practically all over the world for flavoring various dishes. In America about 50% of the entire output of fresh garlic is dehydrated and sold to food processors. Recently, spray dried garlic products are also available for some year (Pruthi, 1979) [11] . The area covered by garlic exceeds 1,142,000 ha and its average productivity is estimated to be 12t ha-1 in the world (FAO, 2003). World production of garlic is ranked 14 th among vegetables with a total of 14.5 million ton. In Mexico, its consumption is about 400 g per capita (Chavez, 2008), and the production is considered low as compared to other countries such as China (80% world production), India, Korea and (20%) the rest of the world. Garlic contains moisture 62.8%, protein 6.3%, mineral matter 1.0%, carbohydrate 29.0%, fat 0.7%, fibre 0.8%, calcium 0.03%, phosphorus 0.31%, iron 0.0013%, calorific value 141, vitamin C 13 mg per 100 g, nicotinic acid 0.4 mg, thiamine 0.16 mg, riboflavin 0.23 mg its 100 gyible portion contains: Na 32 mg, Mg 36 mg and fibre 1.1% (Chatfield, 1954) [4] .

Materials and Methods

The experiments were conducted during rabi season 2022-23 and 2023-24 at the field of Horticulture department, Mansarovar Global University, Bilkishganj Sehore (Madhya Pradesh) India. The site is situated in part of Madhya Pradesh and covers geographical area of 25.60 lakh ha and represents 8.71 per cent of the total geographical area of the state. The zone is located between 23016´ North latitudes and 77036´ East longitudes. This zone possesses typically subtropical climatic conditions characterized by mild winters and moderate summers associated with high relative humidity during the months of July to September. The annual rainfall of the region is 650 -1000 mm, most of which is contributed by south west monsoon from July to September. The experiment consisting of 10 treatments viz., T 1 -Control (No fertilizer), T 2 -RDF 100%, T 3 -RDF 90%, T 4 -RDF 80%, T 5 -Control (un-inoculated), T 6 -Azotobacter, T 7 -Phosphobacteria, T 8 -Azospirillum, T 9 -Azospirillum +Phosphobacteria, T 10 Azotobacter+Phosphobacteria, was laid out in RBD with three replications.

Results and Discussion

Growth attributes

Observation on plant height, number of leaves and length of leaves as influenced by various treatments was recorded at different stages of plant growth viz. 30, 60 and 90 days after planting during 2022-23 and 2023-24. The perusal of data revealed that the plant height, number of leaves and length of leaves at 90 DAP was significantly affected by various biofertilizers. The maximum plant height (65.62cm), the maximum number of leaves (7.49) and the maximum length of leaves (48.015cm) was recorded under T 9 (Azospirillum + Phosphobacteria), while minimum plant height (43.13 cm), minimum number of leaves (5.35) and minimum length of leaves (40.045 cm) was recorded under T 1 (control) treatments during 2022-23-2023-24 Pool mean. Similar results were also reported by Bahadur et al. (2006) [1] in pea, Biswas and Patra (2007) [2] in green gram, Djebali et al. (2010) [8] in common bean, pea, alfalfa and Ramana et al. (2010) [13] in French bean.

Yield attributes

Observation on Diameter of bulb (cm), Number of cloves per bulb, Length of clove (cm) and Bulb yield (q/ha) influenced by various treatments was recorded at after harvest during 2022-23 and 2023-24. The maximum diameter of bulb (4.94 cm), the maximum number of cloves per plant (28.37), the maximum length of cloves (4.94 cm) and the maximum yield of bulb (81.75 q/ha) was recorded under T 9 (Azospirillum + Phosphobacteria), while minimum diameter of bulb (2.55 cm), minimum number of cloves per plant (22.58), minimum length of cloves (3.14 cm) and minimum yield of bulb (67.44 q/ha) was recorded under T 1 (control) treatments during 2022-23-2023-24 Pool mean. Similar findings were also reported by Singh et al. (2004) in pea, Narayan et al. (2005) [10] in cauliflower, Dadhich et al. (2006) [7] in soybean.

Conclusion

On the basis of the results obtained in the present investigation, it may be concluded that application of different RDF and biofertilizers enhanced the growth; yield and quality of garlic except days take bulb initiation in comparison to control. Application of T 9 (Azospirillum+Phosphobacteria) may be considered as best treatment in terms of all growth and yield characters. It is recommended for higher production of garlic under Bilkishganj Sehore (Madhya Pradesh) conditions.

References

1. Bahadur A, Singh J, Singh KP, Rai M. Plant growth, yield and quality attributes of garden pea as influenced by organic amendments and bio-fertilizers. Indian J Hortic. 2006;63(4):464-466.
2. Biswas BC, Das S, Subhash KP. Crop response to bio fertilizers. Fertilizers News. 2001;46:15-24.
3. Chattoo MA, Ahmed N, Faheema S, Narayan S, Khan SH, Hussain K. Response of garlic (Allium sativum L.) to biofertilizer application. Asian J Hort. 2007;2(2):249-252.
4. Chaudhary SVS. Effect of biofertilizers with nitrogen and phosphorus on sprouting of bulbs and flowering in tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa L.) Cv. Double. Frog Agric. 2009;9(2):277-281.
5. Dadhich SK, Somani LL, Verma A. Improved soybean yield, nutrient uptake and P enrichment in soil due to coinoculation of phosphate solubilizing bacteria and VAM fungi in a clay loam soil. Indian J Microbiol. 2006;46:4.
6. Djebali N, Turki S, Zib M, Hajlaoui MR. Growth and development responses of some legume species inoculated with a mycorrhiza-based bio-fertilizer. Agric Biol J North Am. 2010;1(5):748-754.
7. Kumar J, Singh OP, Pal K. Response of bio-fertilizers and chemical fertilizers in onion (Allium cepa Linn.). Prog Agric. 2010;10(1):170-172.
8. Narayanamma M, Chiranjeevi CH, Reddy IP, Riazuddinahmed S. Integrated nutrient management in cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.). Veg Sci. 2005;32(1):62-64.
9. Ramana V, Ramakrishna M, Purushotham K, Reddy KB. Effect of bio-fertilizers on growth, yield and quality of French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Veg Sci. 2011;38(1):35-38.
10. Ramana V, Ramakrishna M, Purushotham K, Reddy KB. Effect of bio-fertilizers on growth, yield attributes and yield of French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Legume Res. 2010;33(3):178-183.