https://doi.org/10.37229/fsa.fjh.2024.12.04

This experiment was carried out during two growing winter seasons of 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 at the Vegetable Research Farm (Kaha), Kalubia Governorate. The study investigated the effects of culturing with garlic seedling (Sids-40 clone) of different ages A1 (four weeks) or A2 (six weeks) compared to direct planting of cloves as a control A3 on three early planting dates D1 (15th August), D2 (1st September), and D3 (15th September). The achieved results revealed that, D3 (15th September) produced the highest survival rate, while D1 (15th August) gave the fastest germination. and D2 (1st September) recorded the highest plant length, leaves number/plant, neck and bulb diameter as well as the bulbing ratio. Furthermore, older seedlings of age six weeks exhibited better survival and growth characteristics than younger ones of age 4 weeks or the control, leading to higher yields and improved bulb quality; increased bulb weight, clove number, and nitrogen content. On the other hand, D3 (15th September) resulted in higher potassium and carbohydrate contents in bulbs. Chlorophyll content was high with D1 and D2 which were cultured with older seedlings of age six weeks. The garlic seedlings of six weeks age, which were cultured at D1 and D2, were preferable for bulb quality and high yield. This protocol may be useful to overcome climate change in Egypt.