Effect of plant density on the characteristics of photosynthetic apparatus of garlic (Allium sativum var. vulgare L.)

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted to study green garlic response to the following plant densities: 300,000; 450,000; 600,000; 750,000 and 900,000 plants/ha. The experiment lasted for two years. Plant measurements started 40 days after planting (DAP) and were performed at ten-day intervals. Eight measurements per year were made in total and the following traits were measured: leaf number per plant, leaf surface area and leaf area index (LAI). These parameters were used to determine the effects of stand density on the photosynthetic apparatus of the garlic plant. These effects were found to be present, but to varying degrees. Stand density had the strongest effect on LAI and the smallest on leaf area. The data collected during the experiment and the appearance of the garlic plants themselves showed that the crop performed best at moderate stand densities (600,000 and 750,000 plants/ha). At such densities, garlic developed a powerful photosynthetic apparatus and the bulbs were large and uniform.

Key words: Garlic, plant density, leaf number per plant, leaf area, LAI.