Evaluation of the effects of different mulch material on quantity and quality yield of garlic populations (Allium sativum L.)

ABSTRACT:InKhuzestan province, weed, soil crusting, low soil temperature in winter, low precipitation and lack of soil nutrient decrease garlic yields. In order to study the effect of mulching on four garlic populations (Allium sativum L.) an experiment was conducted as a factorial experiment in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replication in the medicinal plant farm of the Ramin Agriculture and Natural Resources University in 2010-2011. Experimental factors included; mulching system in four levels (wheat straw, cow dung, black polyethylene and no mulching(control)) along with four Iranian garlic population (Dezful, Ramhormoz, Baghmalek and Hamedan).Plant fresh weight, shoot dry matter, bulb weight, cloves number per bulb,chlorophyll index (SPAD), bulb protein and yield were evaluated. The results show that mulching system had significant effect (P?0.5%) on plant fresh weight and shoot dry matter, and has no significant effect on chlorophyll index and on other parameters (P?0.1%). Garlic population had significant effect (P?0.5%) on chlorophyll index and had significant effect (P?0.1%) on other parameters. The highest and the lowest bulb yield were obtained in wheat straw mulch with Hamedan population (31.81 t.ha-1), and wheat straw mulch with Baghmalek (10.17 t.ha-1) respectively. Consequently cow dung mulch can be recommended for sustainable production for medicinal plants such as garlic in this region.