Influence of Clove Weight on Vegetative Growth and Yield of Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Grown under Drip Irrigation

A field trial was carried out during two growing seasons (2005/2006 and 2006/2007) at the Agricultural Research Station, Mu’tah University, Al-Karak, Jordan, to study the influence of clove weight at planting on vegetative growth and yield of garlic. Four clove weights [small ( 1), medium (1.1- 2.0), large (2.1- 3.0) and extra-large (3.1-4) g] were planted in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Vegetative growth parameters (leaf number, plant height and average plant weight) were significantly higher when large clove weight was planted. Using large clove weight gave significantly the highest garlic yield and average bulb weight compared with small clove weight. However, number of cloves per bulb and bulb neck diameter were not significantly affected by planted clove weight. The percentage of the increase in bulb yield at harvest was 75% and 59% as compared with the smallest clove weight in 2005/2006 and 2006/2007, respectively