What causes garlic deformities? The latest control measures are here
In recent years, as the garlic planting area has increased, the phenomenon of garlic deformities has also become more and more common. There are many types of garlic deformities, but their formation seriously affects the economic and edible value of garlic, and also has a certain impact on yield, causing farmers a lot of losses. So what causes abnormal garlic growth? How should it be prevented and controlled? Come to Qinnong Web to see the detailed introduction.
1. Bread garlic
Bread garlic refers to garlic that, at harvest, after the scales are exposed to sunlight, begins to dehydrate into a membranous state and feels as soft as bread when pinched with the hand, hence the name bread garlic.
Cause: The occurrence of bread garlic is mainly due to the garlic seed. Improper selection of garlic seed, or improper storage conditions for the garlic seed, can cause it. Before sowing the garlic seed, the room temperature should be kept between 14-16 degrees, or it should be stored refrigerated at 0-5 degrees. If the storage room temperature is too low or the environment is too humid, the incidence of bread garlic will increase.
2. Single-clove garlic
Single-clove garlic, as the name implies, has a bulb with only one clove and no other divided cloves, so it is named single-clove garlic.
Cause: There are many causes. It can be produced from secondary bulbs; during growth, the secondary bulbs are small, thus forming single-clove garlic. It can also be caused by propagation from small cloves; during growth, the cloves are too small, thus forming single-clove garlic. In addition, improper water and fertilizer management during planting can also form single-clove garlic.
3. Multi-clove garlic
Multi-clove garlic refers to the lateral buds of the bulb forming cloves again after sprouting, and these newly formed cloves are relatively small, causing several garlic heads to appear on the bulb, resulting in low commercial value.
Cause: It is caused by low temperatures before overwintering. For example, if the garlic seed has been subjected to low-temperature treatment before sowing, this situation will appear after growth and harvest the following year.
4. Loose-clove garlic
Loose-clove garlic is completely opposite to multi-clove garlic. It sheds before the bulb has grown and formed cloves, causing the cloves to scatter.
Cause: The main causes of loose-clove garlic are sowing too early and harvesting too late. Exceeding the optimal harvest time causes the bulb to rot in the soil, resulting in scattered cloves.
Control measures
Seed selection must be strict and standardized. Choose high-quality, well-colored, disease-free, undamaged cloves as garlic seed. Before sowing, the garlic seed should be sun-dried to avoid the occurrence of bread garlic. When sowing, the appropriate time must be grasped; it should not be too early or too late. Also, harvesting must be timely. When the leaves begin to wither and the pseudostem is soft but not brittle, this is the best time for harvest. During planting, management should be strengthened, and fertilizer and water regulation should be strictly controlled. Water and fertilize reasonably according to the growth condition of the garlic. Generally, water once each in December, February, and May, and otherwise according to the weather and soil; fertilize three times as well, in combination with watering.
The above are the causes and control measures of garlic deformities brought to you by Qinnong Web. We hope it can help you. To learn more about garlic planting techniques, please stay tuned to Qinnong Web.