GARLIC
(Allium sativum L)


Garlic has been considered as a rich source of carbohydrates, protein and phosphorous. Garlic having various medicinal uses is used as a gastric stimulant, which aids in disgestion and absorption of food. It is also reported to be usefulin reducing the cholesterol concentration in human blood. The inhalaion of garlic oil garlic juice has been recommended in cases of pulmonary tuberculosis, rheumatism, cough and red eys. Apart from medicinal uses garlic has been reported to contain certain insecticidal, fungicidal and bactericidal action also.

Nutritive compostion of fresh peeled garlic cloves and dehydrated garlic powder is as given below

(Pruthi, 1979)
Particulars Fresh peeled garlic cloves Dehydrated garlic powder
1 2 3
Moisture% 62.80 5.20
Protein% 6.30 17.50
Fat% 0.10 0.60
Mineral matter% 1.00 3.20
Fibre% 0.80 1.90
Carbohydrates% 29.00 71.40
Calcium% 0.03 0.10
Phosphorus% 0.31 0.42
Potassium - 1.10
Iron% 0.001 0.004
Niacin% - 0.70
Sodium% - 0.01
Vitamin 'A' (I.U.) - 175.00
Nocotinic acid (mg/100g) 0.40 -
Vitamin'C' (mg/100g) 13.00 12.00
Vitamin 'B' (mg/100g) - 0.68
Vitamin B2 (mg 100g) - 0.08


Garlic has originated from Central Asia. This is a crop of the tropics, grown extensively in India . This is a common spice in Indian house hold and has several medicinal uses. It is grown in 818 hectares in Andhra pradesh.

Climate

Garlic prefers mild temperatures and does not stand either drought or ill-drained conditions. It will not tolerate excessive humidity or rainfall. It is generally grown as a cool season crop in our State.

Season

It is normally grown in rabo season.

Soils

Loamy soils with good drainage and adequate irrigation facilities are ideal for development of bulbs.

Varieties

There are hardly any recognised variety in our sate. Local varieties are common. Ramnagar variety of Rajasthan, bold cloves. Desi or local - white in colour, and dhave dfairly big cloves. G-41, bulbs medium with white in colour and high yielder. br>
Seeds and Sowing

The garlic is propagted by the segments of the bulb which are known as cloves. It may be sown broadcasting or planted in furrows or dibbled at a distance of three inches within the row and a6 to 9 inches between rows. The cloves ae put down at a depth of 1 to 2 inches.

The field is irrigated immediately after sowing to facilitate sprouting of the cloves.Gap fillin is done within the first fortnight

Manures and Fertilizers

The field is made into beds and channels for convenient size and 15 to 20 cart loads of farmyard manure is incroporated in the last ploughing.The Fertilizers requirements are 60 kg N, 35 kg P2O5 and 60 kg K2O/ha for chalka soils or light sandy soils. But this is to be adopted according to the soil and local conditons. The P2O5 may be given in the last ploughing before forming the beds.

Harevesting

Garlic crop is harvested when the tops turn brownish and shows signs of drying up. The leaves of the bulbs are tied together and after curing them in shade for 3 to 4 days they are stored in ventialted rooms. The tops are separated before marketing.

Yield

The normal yield is about 5, 700 kg/ha, under proper culture yields upto 9000 kg/ha can be obtained.