Effect of Planting Method and Weed Management Practice on Growth and Oleoresin Yield in Garlic (Allium sativum)

Results of field experiments carried out at Indian Agricultural Research Institute New Delhi during Rabi seasons of 2012–14 to investigate the effect of planting method and tank-mix herbicide application on weeds vis-a-vis, growth and oleoresin yield of garlic are reported. The flat (FB) and ridge (RB) beds were comparable with each other on the density and dry weight of weeds, and plant height and oleoresin yield in garlic during both the years. Pre-emergence tank-mix application of pendimethalin @ 0.75 kg ha⁻¹ + imazethapyr @ 0.075 kg ha⁻¹ proved superior to all the other herbicide treatments in reducing weed competition (density and dry weight). Garlic growth (dry weight, height), was not significantly influenced by planting method at harvest, indicating that both FB and RB were similar in performance on garlic with higher values of above growth parameters. Pendimethalin 0.75 kg ha⁻¹ + imazethapyr 0.075 kg ha⁻¹ resulted in higher garlic plant dry weight and height among herbicide treatments, but remained comparable to weed-free check. All weed management measures exhibited higher garlic plant dry weight and height than weedy check. Relative abundance(%) of oleoresins in garlic {disulfide, methyl 2-propenyl, dialyl disulphide, 3-vinyl-[4H]-1, 2-dithiin and 2-vinyl-[4H]-1, 3-dithiin} in garlic were neither affected by planting method nor by weed management practice.