Field evaluation of Allium sativum accessions for bulb yield and resistance to purple blotch

摘要

Field evaluation of a collection of 38 accessions of garlic (Allium sativum L.) was carried out to identify genotypes with higher bulb yield potential. Simultaneously, these accessions were also studied for desirable traits like resistance to purple blotch disease and maturity period. High levels of variability were observed for these characters. Bulb yield was in general found to be positively correlated to the time taken to maturity (period). It was nevertheless possible to identify accessions in which total bulb yield was high with early maturing characteristics. Accessions CIMAP 2549 and CIMAP 2550 were early maturing, tolerant to purple blotch and produced yields greater than 10 t/ha. These accessions can therefore be planted late and harvestedat the normal time of maturity, i.e. March end, or, when planted in October-November, can be harvested in early March, allowing growers to obtain an additional summer crop.