Performance of Four Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Varieties Using Two Planting Densities

In the area of North Sonora, Mexico known as Arizpe  the performance of 4 varieties of garlic in 2 plantation densities were evaluated. The varieties used were: Early California, Chinese, and Purple regional and Pearl. The two densities evaluated were in double and triple rows. Double-row density was 250,000 plants per hectare. Triple-row density was 375.000 plants per hectare. The treatments consisted of a double row plant spacing of 10 cm and a row spacing of 20 cm, the separation between rows was 80 cm. In triple-row the spacing between plants was 10 cm and the separation of plants between rows was 10 cm, the separation between rows was 80 cm..The varieties used were the best adapted in the region of the Sonora River, selecting Arizpe, Sonora for the realization of the experiment because of its high potential for development and cultivation of garlic. The results indicated that statistical differences were found in the tested varieties, standing out the Chino and pearl varieties (P< 0.05) in yield (Ton / ha) the California Early and regional Purple varieties (16.906 and 16.187  v.s. 14.125 and 9.944 Ton / Ha) respectively. For the diameter of the bulb, Chino and Pearl varieties were equal (P> 0.05) with a diameter of 5.76 and 5.66 cm. respectively. The variety Early California had a diameter of 5.41 cm, equal to the variety Pearl (P 0.05). Regional Purple resulted to have the minor diameter with 3.78 cm. The yields and the obtained diameters for the two densities indicate that planting three rows out yielded double-row planting (14.55  v.s  14.03 Tons / ha, P< 0.05). However, double row planting overcame in diameter of the bulb to the three rows planting technique (6.17 against 4.13 cm, P< 0.05). To maintain the ratio of good yields and bulb diameter for the market, we recommend densities between 250,000 or 400,000 plants per hectare.