Differential response of softneck and hardneck garlic ecotypes to quality attributes for long-term storage

Abstract

The selection of suitable garlic ecotypes is necessary for better storage quality to meet domestic and export requirements. For this purpose, ten promising garlic ecotypes, including hardneck and softneck types (Kilis, Mersin, Kahramanmaraş, Araban, Yavuzeli, Taşköprü, Nevşehir, Ankara, Aksaray, and Tokat) were examined to identify superior ecotype/s in terms of storability without detrimental changes for 6 months in warehouse condition. Thus, weight loss, sprouting ratio, and titratable acidity increased, whereas pH and antioxidant capacity decreased in all ecotypes with an increase in storage period. In addition, dissimilar behaviors were detected in SSC, ash, total phenolic, and macro- and micro minerals among ecotypes in relation to the storage period. This study demonstrates that Taşköprü, Tokat, Nevşehir, and Ankara ecotypes presented the best behaviors during storage, which are considered quality attributes and good indicators of predicting storage life. It also highlighted the potential of ecotype selection to prevent unacceptable levels of quality in garlic and the ecotype-dependent effect of long-term storage on quality parameters. Conclusively, it is possible to declare that softneck garlic ecotypes are more durable in the same storage conditions, considering the maintenance of quality attributes and good adaptation to longer storage. Therefore, the intensity of change in quality attributes was found to be crucial for identifying and choosing ecotypes to enhance the storage stability. It also imparts desirable properties for consumer acceptance and various processed garlic-based products.