Vermicompost Effects on Bulbing Dynamics, Nonstructural Carbohydrate Content, Yield, and Quality of `Rosado Paraguayo' Garlic Bulbs

Abstract

<jats:p>The objectives of this work were to a) determine vermicompost effect on bulbification dynamics in terms of garlic (<jats:italic>Allium sativum</jats:italic> L.) bulb dry weight and sucrose metabolism and b) evaluate the impact of vermicompost on garlic bulb yield and quality. The treatments were soil (control) and 1 soil: 1 vermicompost (by volume). The use of vermicompost as a substrate caused early bulbing (18 to 20 days) and lengthened bulb filling period. Bulb filling period corresponded to an increase in the total soluble carbohydrates and a later modification in nonstructural carbohydrate distribution patterns regarding fructan (scorodose) metabolism. The vermicompost treatment increased scorodose accumulation, which was directly related to the harvest index, resulting in greater yield and bulb quality. Bulb quality was not modified in terms of bulb pungency and soluble solids content by the use of vermicompost.</jats:p>

Impact of Vermicompost and Chemical Fertilizer on Yield, Growth and Essential oil of Garlic (Allium sativum L.)

“…Increased essential oil yield in vermicompost treatments can be owing to the improvement of yield components such as; essential oil content and seed yield. Our findings are in accordance with the observations of Singh and Ramesh ,2002;Pandey, 2005. Arguello et al (2006 stated vermicompost fertilizers due to having great advantages such as maintenance of water in the soil and inclusion of nutritive substances can help in the increase of the essential oil content of the plants by augmentation of vegetative growth, which comprises the most oil content.…”

“…Various workers have examined the suitability of vermicompost as plant growth media (Pashanasi et al, 1996) and have addressed their potential commercial value. The research on vegetables confirms that vermicompost improves seed germination, seedling vigour, plant growth, flowering, fruiting, tuberization, root development, color, shelf-life and quality of the economic produce (Atiyeh et al, 2001;Suthar et al, 2005;Arguello et al,. 2006;Alam et al, 2007;Prem-sekhar and Rajashree 2009;Suthar 2009).…”

Nutritional Value, Chemical Characterization and Bulb Morphology of Greek Garlic Landraces

“…Dry matter and total soluble solids content ranged from as low as 31.67% (sample 9) and 31.8% (sample 10) respectively, to 42.64% (sample 11) and 40.4% (sample 12) respectively, with significant differences being observed not only between the various areas but also between genotypes of the same area. This could be attributed to different cultivation practices, soil properties and postharvest handling, as has been already reported by Diriba-Shiferaw et al [15] and Argüello et al [19]. …”

“…Moreover, Cardelle-Cobas et al [31] studied garlic samples from Spanish markets and reported similar results to our study regarding sucrose, fructose and glucose content of dry bulbs, as well as other fructo-oligosaccharides with degree of polymerization from 3 to 7. Argüello et al [19] have also detected significant amounts of scorodose, especially at the end of the bulbing period (about 170 days after sowing) when it was identified as the main carbohydrate.…”

“…Argüello et al [19] suggested that the growth stage also has a significant effect on sugar composition, as well as vermicompost application which may result in earlier start of bulbing and consequently in higher carbohydrates content, expressed mainly by scorodose. …”