Effect of Mulching on Bulb Yield, Water Use Efficiency, Plant Water Status and Chemical Composition of Garlic Plants Grown Under Different Irrigation Levels

Abstract

Field studies were conducted for two consecutive winter seasons of 2016/2017 and 2017/ 2018 to investigate the effect of mulching; (rice straw and without mulch as control) on bulbs yield, water use efficiency, plant water status and chemical composition of garlic grown under three levels of irrigation (I 100 = 100%, I 80 = 80% and I 60 = 60% of ET C crop evapotranspiration). Bulb yield, water and potassium use efficiency, plant water status (RWC), membrane stability index (MSI) and leaf N and K significantly increased by increasing irrigation levels from I 60 to I 80 and further to I 100 . I 80 was pronounced on water use efficiency and leaf P, meanwhile I 60 was pronounced on leaf total phenolic, flavonoids, anthocyanin, free proline and total free amino acids contents. Garlic plants growth was improved under three levels of irrigation by using rice straw mulch. Results implied that I 100 + rice straw, significantly, increased bulbs yield, (RWC), (MSI) and leaf N and K .In addition, I 80 + rice straw significantly, increased water use efficiency and leaf P. Howevere, I 60 + rice straw significantly, increased leaf total phenolic, flavonoids, anthocyanin, free proline and total free amino acids contents.

Effects of Water Irrigation Methods Combined with Mulching Materials on the Growth and Yield of Allium chinense on Acid Sulfate Soil

“…Therefore, the cultivation of annual crops requires an appropriate irrigation regime to avoid water stress, especially in the dry season. Multiple studies have been carried out to evaluate the effects of mulch materials on improving the water status of dryland crops such as garlic (Allium sativum L.) (Barakat et al, 2020), onion (Allium cepa L.) (Tehulie, 2022), corn (Zea mays L.) (Qin et al, 2015;Sanders et al, 2018;Gao et al, 2019) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] ( Vincent-Caboud et al, 2019).…”