Impact of NPS rates on growth and yield of garlic (Allium sativum L.) varieties in greenhouse.

Abstract

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) has both culinary and medical applications. However, the low and uneven nutrient availability in the soil frequently limits the garlic yield. This study aimed to select adaptable garlic varieties under greenhouse conditions using a pot of soil taken from Awada and Wondo Genet and to identify the optimum rates of the newly introduced mineral nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur (NPS) fertilizer on the growth, yield, and yield parameters of the crop. Four garlic varieties; Bishoftu Nech, Tsedey 92, Kuriftu, and local variety were used and treated with four levels of NPS (0-0-0, 78.75-69-12.75, 105-92-17, and 131.25-115-21.25 kg ha^-1). The experiment was triplicated and conducted with a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Growth characteristics of the four garlic varieties were evaluated, including days to 50 % emergence, plant height, leaf number per plant, leaf length, fresh weight, dry weight, average bulb weight, and total bulb yield. The findings of this study indicated that the growth, yield, and yield parameters of all four garlic varieties from Awada soil rose as the rates of NPS increased. However, all growth and production parameters of the four garlic varieties gradually fell, starting from the blanket recommendation from Wondo Genet soil. According to this research, the usage of NPS at the rate of (131.25-115-21.25 kg ha^-1) resulted in improved growth in Awada soil. Similarly, the rate of (78.75-69-12.75 kg ha^-1) was optimum at Wondo Genet soil. In conclusion, determining the optimum rates of the NPS is essential to increase garlic productivity.