Garlic Growth Period Management Methods and Technical Key Points

Garlic growth management, especially management after the green-up stage, directly affects garlic yield and quality.

I. Management during the green-up stage

In late February, as the weather gradually warms, the seedlings turn green, adventitious roots begin to grow at the lower part, and garlic scapes and bulbs begin to differentiate. At this time, ensuring strong seedling growth and accumulating more nutrients for the differentiation of garlic scapes and bulbs is the key to achieving high-quality and high-yield garlic. According to the results of the province's second soil survey: continuous successive cropping in the main garlic-producing areas of our province has caused relative deficiencies of soil trace elements (iron, copper, manganese, zinc, magnesium, molybdenum, boron, cobalt, etc.) and calcium. Trace element deficiency directly leads to weak garlic plants and poor development. In severe cases, it can allow fungi and bacteria to invade and cause multiple diseases, leading to reduced yield or even total crop failure. Management measures for this period: (1) Clean dust off the plastic film. (2) Repair damaged plastic film in time. (3) Remove coverings from the film. (4) In early March, spray Kangpei No. 2 foliar fertilizer once to supplement trace elements. (5) When the daily average temperature is stable at about 12°C, water to strengthen the seedlings, and apply 6-8 kg of pure nitrogen and 2 kg of potassium dihydrogen phosphate with the water. At this time, if fungal leaf blight is found, in the early stage of the disease use two packets of 43% Haolike plus 15 g of Kangpei No. 2, mix with 30 kg of water and spray evenly; spraying twice continuously gives better results.

II. Management during the scape-emergence stage

As the number of garlic leaves increases and leaf area expands, the garlic scape gradually elongates with the plant. By the tail-shedding stage, leaf area reaches its maximum, and this is the stage when vegetative growth and reproductive growth proceed together. This period is when garlic has the greatest water and fertilizer demand in its entire life, with water demand accounting for 40% of its life. Only with ample water and sufficient fertilizer can the garlic scape grow evenly in thickness from top to bottom. Management measures: focus on promoting growth, and spray the upper leaves with Kangpei No. 2 foliar fertilizer once every 10 days. When about 70% of garlic scapes have shed their tails, apply 20-22 kg of urea and 10 kg of diammonium phosphate with the water.

III. Management during the rapid bulb enlargement stage

After the garlic scape is extracted, the apical dominance is removed, and the nutrients in the garlic plant rapidly transfer underground, and the garlic bulb enters the rapid enlargement stage. The level of bulb yield mainly depends on the leaf area after scape removal, how many functional leaves are protected, the soil's ability to supply fertilizer and water, and the absorption function of the roots. Management measures for this period: frequently spray Kangpei No. 2 foliar fertilizer to make the root system well developed and absorb more nutrients and water from the soil. Extend the life of leaf function and root system as much as possible, injure the false stem and leaves as little as possible or not at all when removing scapes, and protect normal leaf growth. The soil surface should alternate between dry and wet, and watering should stop 5 days before harvest.

IV. Timely control of garlic maggots

Garlic maggots are the main pests harming garlic. The adults have strong migratory ability. To prevent garlic maggots from causing damage, unified control of adults is most effective. Control methods: from late April to early May, during the peak emergence period of adults, use sugar-vinegar solution for trapping and spray dichlorvos to control adults. Sugar-vinegar solution (100 g brown sugar, 100 g vinegar, 25 g white liquor, 10 g of 90% crystallized trichlorfon, 300 g water) mix evenly, pour onto sawdust or bran, cover and seal, open the lid on sunny days to trap and kill adults. When adults increase sharply, promptly spray the field with 1000-fold dilution of 80% dichlorvos to control adults. When larval damage reaches the control threshold, apply 500 g of 48% Lorsban or 2-3 kg of Bt emulsion with the water.