CONTRIBUTION OF SOIL ATTRIBUTES AND MORPHOLOGICAL VARIABLES TO YIELD OF IRRIGATED GARLIC

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to investigate relationships between the soil attributes that most affect garlic yield, which can be useful to choose a new area for the growing of this vegetable. We also aimed to study the effects of irrigation deficit at bulb formation stage (cloves) on final garlic quality and yield. The variables evaluated were garlic yield, irrigation, nitrogen, lateral shoot growing, plant water potential, bulb volume, leaf area index, soil electrical conductivity, soil mechanical resistance to penetration, and volumetric soil moisture content. Initially, the Pearson's correlation was estimated for the phenological indexes, and a correlation network was used to graphically express the results and to correct multicollinearity between variables. A track analysis was performed considering yield as the main dependent variable. The analyses showed that, of the primary garlic yield components, bulb volume is the phenological index with the greatest potential for selection and identification of garlic production. Moreover, soil resistance to penetration impaired garlic yield. Finally, irrigation deficit at clove formation stage has a negative relation with lateral shoot growing and bulb volume.

KEYWORDS
Allium sativum L.; path analysis; precision irrigation; precision agriculture