EFFECTS OF STORAGE-TEMPERATURE ON GROWTH AND BULB FORMATION IN 4 GARLIC (ALLIUM-SATIVUM L) CULTIVARS

Studies on the effect of storage temperature of 0,7 and 25 degrees C b efore planting were conducted on four garlic cultivars with respect to their leaf initiation, clove differentiation, development and yield u nder field conditions during 1990/91 season. All cultivars, except Oma ni, showed less leaf initation at 25 degrees C than at either 0 or 7 d egrees C. Iri contrast, Omani garlic produced more leaves at 25 degree s C than at lower storage temperatures. A varied cultivar response to temperature was noticeable in leaf development over a 15 weeks period from planting. Bulb diameter was greater at low temperatures. Clove di fferentiation was higher in Omani cultivar and least in Indian cultiva r. Single clove bulbing was found to increase with temperature, reachi ng 80% at 25 degrees C. Bulb weight and number of days to reach maturi ty were both favoured by low storage temperature. Bulb yield showed pr ogressive decrease with the increase in storage temperature. However. all cultivars, except Indian, attained a 3 fold increase in bulb yield at 0 degrees C than at 25 degrees C.