Garlic current management details reminder: don't overlook these key points

According to relevant information, during this current period the growth of all parts of the garlic plant is at its greatest, so this period is also the critical period for water and fertilizer needs of the garlic plant. This is especially true for nitrogen and potassium fertilizers; at this time, a deficiency of nitrogen or potassium will cause extremely large losses in yield.

Another report indicates that the maximum leaf width and pseudostem diameter (leaf sheath) of garlic show a significant positive correlation with the weight of garlic scapes and garlic bulbs. To obtain high yields of garlic bulbs and garlic scapes, plants with thick, sturdy leaf sheaths and wide leaves must be cultivated, so ensuring that the garlic is not harmed by diseases and pests is also an important measure for ensuring a bumper harvest.

After consulting Master Chen at the Cangshan garlic base, the author summarizes the following specific measures for reference.

1. Apply sufficient nitrogen fertilizer at the seedling stage. In early April, in conjunction with watering, a topdressing based mainly on nitrogen and sulfur should be applied heavily to improve soil fertility and enhance the growth vigor of the root system.

According to Master Chen, about 30 kg per mu of fertilizer containing nitrogen and sulfur can be applied, either by broadcasting or by flushing application; note that pure nitrogen fertilizers such as urea must not be applied excessively.

2. Prevent excessive vegetative growth and promote sturdy plants. As air temperatures rise and sufficient fertilizer and water are supplied, the growth rate of garlic plants clearly speeds up, and excessive growth is very likely to occur, causing the garlic plants to become taller and the leaf sheaths to become thinner.

At this time, garlic nutrient solution plus garlic leaf sheath thickening agent should be sprayed promptly to coordinate the relationship between vegetative growth and the growth of the product organs and to suppress excessive vegetative growth. This achieves the plant-type requirements for high garlic yield, realizes the management goals of thick leaf sheaths and wider leaves, and lays the material foundation for the garlic bulbs to fully grow larger.

3. Apply potassium fertilizer heavily when the garlic bulbs are swelling. In late April (mostly around "Grain Rain"), 20 kg of a 30% sulfur-containing high-potassium flushing-type compound fertilizer can be applied with irrigation water to accelerate the swelling of the garlic bulbs. To prevent the garlic root system from aging at this time, production should focus on nourishing and protecting the roots, strictly preventing root damage that would greatly affect yield; watering and fertilizing should be done no later than 5 days before starting to harvest garlic scapes.

4. White rot and leaf blight. From 3-5 days after watering around Qingming, garlic white rot is prone to occur and spread; garlic leaf blight is the main disease harming garlic leaves, and its peak occurrence is during the period of most vigorous garlic growth (late April).

Practice has proven that the best period for controlling this disease should be 2-3 days after watering, spraying a fungicide such as Baifujing or iprodione once, generally at 100-150 grams per mu. Note that before watering with the bulb-swelling fertilizer and water, spraying must be done once for prevention, with continuous application 2-3 times

5. For insect pests, prevent root maggots and mites. In early April, garlic maggot larvae have already begun to occur and cause damage; apply pesticide with irrigation water to control root maggots and also control garlic mites and nematodes. The effective pesticide is phoxim, which kills both maggots and mites with good results.

The use of highly toxic and high-residue pesticides is prohibited to ensure the food safety of garlic scapes and garlic bulbs.