ARS | Publication request: ENVIRONMENTAL AND GENETIC EFFECTS ON GARLIC GROWTH, FLOWERING, AND BULB CHARACTERS

Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: October 15, 2003
Publication Date: November 2, 2003
Citation: Simon, P.W., Hannan, R.M., Jenderek, M.M., Voss, R.E. 2003. Environmental and genetic effects on garlic growth, flowering, and bulb characters [abstract]. Hortscience. 38:783.

Technical Abstract: Garlic yields vary widely across climates and clones, but the relative influences of these two important variables have not been well-described. Furthermore, the primary character distinguishing garlic clones is their tendency to form a flower stalk, but the influence of environment on stalk formation has not been evaluated. We grew 15 garlic clones produced in Oregon and varying in flower stalk formation and other plant and bulb attributes over three years in Wisconsin, Washington, and southern and central California. Trials were fall-planted in all locations and leaf, stalk, and bulb attributes were measured. Warmer climates increased leaf number, length and width; and bulb diameter and weight, but reduced the incidence of stalk formation and height. When bulbs grown in Wisconsin were then used to replant the crop, incidence of stalking increased in subsequent years.