Effect of foliar application of bio-stimulants on growth, yield, components, and storability of garlic (Allium sativum L.).

TLDR

Garlic growers aim to increase yield and improve bulb quality to meet market and consumer demands. The study investigated how foliar bio‑stimulants—ascorbic acid, dry yeast, amino acids, seaweed extract, and Spirulina extract—affect growth, yield, yield components, and storability of Balady garlic across two seasons. Foliar bio‑stimulants were applied monthly starting one month after planting, repeated three times at 15‑day intervals, in a complete randomized block design with three replicates. Amino Total significantly increased plant height, and both yeast and Amino Total produced the heaviest bulbs (~70 g) in both seasons, while control plants had the fewest leaves (~9) and lowest yield.

Abstract

Increasing garlic yield and improving bulb quality are essential aims for growers to fulfill the requirements of the market and the consumers. Two field experiments were carried out during two successive seasons; 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 at a private farm to find out the influence of some bio-stimulants i.e., ascorbic acid, dry yeast, amino acids (Ruter and Total), seaweed extract (Alga 600) and Spirulina extract (Arthospira fusiformis) on plant growth, yield, yield components and storability of garlic plants Balady cultivar. One month after planting, foliar applications of bio-stimulants were applied, and repeated 3 times at 15 days intervals throughout the growing season. The design of the experiment was a complete randomized blocks (CRB) with three replicates. Results indicated that foliar application of Amino Total (1.2 ml l -1 ) effectively increased plant height compared to all treatments and control. Number of leaves per plant was the least (9 and 9.5) in control plants in both seasons. Application of yeast (2 g l -1 ) or amino total (1.2 ml l -1 ) showed the heaviest bulb weight (67.7, 72.0 and 69.5, 66.6 g) in the first and second season, respectively. Weight loss of