The effect of defoliation on the yield of leek (Allium porrum L.)

Irigoyen, Ignacio; Domeño, I.; Muro, Julio

doi:10.5424/sjar/2010082-1194

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…Following defoliation, yield of Allium sativum L. (garlic), A. ampeloprasum L. ssp. porrum (leek) and A. cepa L. decreased (Muro et al 1998(Muro et al , 2000Irigoyen et al 2010), especially when defoliation occured as leaves had just completed unfolding and bulb formation was being initiated (Irigoyen et al 2010). Early defoliation can also substantially affect subsequent growth in other spring flowering species, such as Trillium erectum L. (red trillium), Clintonia borealis Aiton (Raf.)…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainable leaf harvesting and effects of plant density on wild leek cultivation plots and natural stands in Southern Quebec, Canada

2015

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Overharvesting has caused major population declines in North America in non-timber forest products species such as ginseng and wild leek. Sustainable exploitation could be achieved through forest farming. Density reduction following bulb harvest could improve yield in natural wild leek stands that reach growth-limiting densities. Limiting the harvest to leaves may also provide an alternative form of exploitation, but could slow growth by reducing both carbon and nutrient reserves depending on the timing and intensity of such harvest. Our objectives were to assess the effects of (1) planting density and post-harvest density reduction, and (2) the timing and intensity of leaf harvest on subsequent growth and reproduction of wild leek. Three experiments were established. Bulbs were planted at densities from 44 to 356 bulbs m-2 , covering the range surveyed in natural populations. Plots in dense populations were subjected to up to 40% bulb harvest. In cultivated plots, either half or all the leaves on each plant were harvested, from 15 to 25 days after complete unfolding. Plants growing in higher density plots exhibited slower growth and reproduction rates, but greater productivity per cultivated area. A similar effect, albeit marginal, was obtained following bulb harvests in natural populations. Harvesting leaves did not affect survival, but delaying the harvest and harvesting only half of the leaves favored subsequent plant growth. We recommend harvesting down to a fixed bulb density rather than harvesting a fixed percentage of bulbs, and harvesting leaves only as ways to ensure sustainable exploitation of leeks.

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