Garlic in clay loam soil thrives on little irrigation

Cantwell, M; Hanson, B; Rice, R; Voss, R; May, D

Garlic in clay loam soil thrives on little irrigation

Authors

Marita Cantwell
Blaine R. Hanson
Robert Rice
Ronald Voss
Don May

Authors Affiliations

M. Cantwell is Extension Postharvest Specialist, Department of Vegetable Crops, UC Davis;; B.R. Hanson is Extension Irrigation and Drainage Specialist, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, UC Davis;; R. Rice is Agronomist (retired), Rogers Foods, Modesto; R. Voss is Extension Vegetable Crops Specialist; D. May is Farm Advisor (emeritus), UC Cooperative Extension, Fresno;.

Publication Information

Hilgardia 56(4):128-132. DOI:10.3733/ca.v056n04p128. July 2002.

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Abstract

We conducted 4 years of irrigation experiments in garlic on the West Side of the San Joaquin Valley to determine appropriate irrigation frequency and cutoff dates as well as the effect of irrigation on yields for crops grown in sandy and clay loam soil. In sandy soil with the moisture content at field capacity prior to the rapid growth stage, yield was strongly dependent on applied water, and weekly irrigation was needed for maximum yield. In clay loam, yield did not depend on applied water because the garlic plants were able to extract sufficient soil moisture to offset deficit irrigation. Irrigation cutoff in both soils should occur by mid-May.

References

Brewster JI, Rabinowitch HD. Garlic agronomy. Onions and Allied Crops. Vol. III. Biochemistry, Food Science, and Minor Crops. 1990. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Pr.

[CDFA] California Department of Food and Agriculture. Agricultural Statistical Review. CDFA Resource Directory 2000 2001. Sacramento, CA:

Hanks RJ, Keller J, Rasmussen VP, Wilson GD. Line source sprinkler for continuous variable irrigation-crop production studies. Soil Sci Soc Am J. 1976. 40:426-9.

Hanks RJ, Sisson DV, Hurst RL, Hubbard KG. Statistical analysis of results from irrigation experiments using the line-source sprinkler system. Soil Sci Soc Am J. 1980. 44:886-8.

Hsiao TC. Plant-atmosphere interactions, evapotranspiration, and irrigation scheduling. Acta Horticulturae. 1990. 270:55-66.

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