Response of Garlic (Allium sativum L.) to Different Crop Geometry under Microirrigation Regimes

An investigation was carried out to evaluate the performance of crop geometry of garlic (Allium sativum L., var. Yamuna Safed) under micro irrigation. A field experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2005–2006 at Water Technology Centre, IARI, New Delhi. The treatment consisted of six crop geometries and two methods of micro irrigation namely, drip and micro sprinkler. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. The maximum yield of garlic was found under drip irrigation (8.07 t/ha) compared to micro sprinkler (6.61 t/ha). Amongst the crop geometries 15 x 10 cm row to row and plant to plant spacings produced significantly higher yield (9.23 t/ha). However, garlic yields obtained under 10 x 15 cm, 5 x 30 cm and 25 x 10 cm were significantly at par. Crop water use efficiency and irrigation water use efficiency were higher under drip irrigation compared to micro sprinkler. Economic analysis indicated that drip irrigation method gave maximum net returns and benefit-cost ratio as compared to micro sprinkler. The crop geometry 10 x 15 cm under drip irrigation was found to be most beneficials.