Effects of paclobutrazol concentrations and periods of immersion on garliccrop

This study was carried out from April to September of 1989, in the experime ntal field of UFLA, Lavras, MG, Brazil, with the objective of evaluating th e influence of concentrations and periods of immersion of paclobutrazol on secondary growth control and marketable traits in garlic (Allium sativum L. ). The experimental design was a randomized complete block in a 4 x 5 facto rial scheme, with four replications. The first factor consisted of paclobut razol concentrations (0, 500, 1,000 and 1,500 mg L-1 of a.i.), and the seco nd one of periods of immersion (30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 minutes). Reduction in plant height and in number of leaves per plant from 60 to 90 days after planting with paclobutrazol applications was observed. Mean bulb weight in creased up to the concentration of 976 mg L-1 of paclobutrazol, and 451 mg L-1 gave the greatest percentage of bulbs of large size. There was no signi ficant difference among treatments for total and commercial yields, percent age of secondary growth bulbs and number of cloves per bulb.