Duration of pre-plant chilling and its effects on garlic cloving
Date
1999-02-25
Authors
Bandara, M.S.
Krieger, K.
Tanino, K.
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Abstract
Fall-planted garlic (Allium sativum L.) has higher clove number and higher overall productivity
than spring-planted garlic. Most Saskatchewan garlic producers, however, spring-plant their crops to
avoid losses associated with winterkill. Pre-plant storage temperature of cloves affects bulbing and
cloving of the subsequent crop. Temperature and daylength during crop development also affect
bulbing and cloving. Studies were conducted to determine the optimum duration of pre-planting
chilling (4 0C) treatment for enhanced cloving and increased bulb yield of the spring-planted garlic
cultivars (a local unnamed selection, ‘California Early’ and ‘California Late’). In a greenhouse study,
‘California Early’ and ‘California Late’ cloves were planted after receiving chilling treatments of 4 0C
for 0 (control), 30, 45, 60 and 75 days. For field studies, cloves from greenhouse-grown bulbs of all
three cultivars were used and chilling treatments were similar to those for greenhouse studies.
Pre-plant chilling treatments of cloves produced significant increases in cloving and bulb yield
for all cultivars. The treatment effect on cloving and bulbing of garlic in relation to cultivar and
environment is discussed. Chilling treatment periods exceeding 30 days (for field) and 45 days (for
greenhouse) resulted in an increase of cloving in bulbs of all cultivars. Improved cloving resulted in
significant increase in both bulb diameter and bulb weight per plant, particularly in greenhouse-grown
garlic. In conclusion, results indicate that improved cloving and bulb yields are obtained if cloves have
been stored at 40 C for 45 and 60 days prior to field and greenhouse planting, respectively.
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Soils and Crops Workshop