Conjoint Effect of Organic and Inorganic Amendments on Yield, Yield Contributing Characters, Quality, Soil Nutrient and Nutrient Uptake in Garlic (Allium sativum L.)

Abstract

The present study was undertaken with the objective to evaluate the effect of different combinations of organic and inorganic fertilizers on growth, yield attributes, nutrient uptake, and quality of garlic (Allium sativum L.). Field experiments were conducted during the Rabi seasons of 2016 and 2017. Treatments included combinations of FYM, vermicompost (applied based on nitrogen equivalency to FYM), Jeevamrit (a traditional organic biostimulant), and recommended doses of NPK fertilizers. Among the treatments, the integrated application of 50% recommended FYM (125 q/ha) + 50% vermicompost (equivalent to the N content of 50% FYM) as a basal dose at field preparation, along with Jeevamrit (applied fortnightly), and 50% Recommended Dose of Fertilizers (RDF) of NPK, resulted in the best performance. This treatment significantly improved bulb weight, bulb diameter, yield per plot and per hectare, weight of 100 peeled and unpeeled cloves, peeling index, oleoresin content, dry matter content, soil nitrogen levels, and potassium uptake by plants. It also showed second-best performance in parameters such as the number of leaves per plant and number of cloves per bulb. No disease incidence was observed during the study period. Based on these results, the integration of 50% FYM + 50% vermicompost + Jeevamrit + 50% RDF of NPK is recommended for maximizing garlic yield and improving quality, with a suggestion to validate the findings through similar trials over the next two years.