Effect of planting date, nitrogen and phosphorus levels on marketable bulb yield in garlic (Allium sativum L.) under mid hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh

Cultivation of garlic in the mid hills of Himachal Pradesh is being done in a haphazard manner resulting in poor bulb yield in a highly suitable climate. To standardize proper time of planting and the optimum levels of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers for increasing the productivity of the crop an experiment was conducted at an elevation of 1100 m amsl. The experiment consisted of five planting dates starting from 30^th August to 20^th November, four levels of nitrogen (62.5, 93.75, 125.0 and 156.25 kg ha⁻¹) and three phosphorus levels (38, 76 and 114 kg ha⁻¹). The results indicated that the early planting of garlic cloves on 30^th August and 20^th September resulted in increased plant growth and highest marketable bulb yield of 25.8 tonnes ha⁻¹ and 25.6 tonnes ha⁻¹ respectively. The plant growth as well as marketable bulb yield decreased to 15.6 tonnes ha⁻¹ with delay in the planting time up to 20^th November. Application of nitrogen @ 156.25 kg ha⁻¹ and phosphorus @ 114 kg ha⁻¹ resulted in highest marketable bulb yield of 23.2 tonnes ha⁻¹ and 22.2 tonnes ha⁻¹ respectively amongst the different nutrient levels. Increasing levels of nitrogen and phosphorus had a positive effect on the plant growth as well as bulb yield irrespective of the date of planting. 20^th September date of planting accompanied by application of nitrogen @ 156.25 kg ha⁻¹ and phosphorus @ 114 kg ha⁻¹ was found to give maximum profit therefore recommended for mid hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh.