Effects of Different Mulches and Fertilizers under Two Irrigation Methods on Garlic Yield and Soil Properties

Abstract

ABSTRACT Successive use of sand on the soil surface during garlic planting process facilitates clove sprouting and prevents soil crust formation. However, this process has led to the destruction and damage of the soil structure and texture in the East Azerbaijan province, northwest of Iran. In this study, the effects of different organic mulches and irrigation methods on soil properties and garlic yield were investigated. Experiments were conducted based on the split-plot design with three replications. The treatments consisted of two surface and drip irrigation methods, while seven types of mulches (straw 1.5 kg m−2, cow manure in two quantities of 2 kg m−2 and 4 kg m−2, sand in two quantities of 4 kg m−2 and 8 kg m−2, poultry manure 1.5 kg m−2, polyethylene mulch) and no mulch as a control treatment were used. The use of poultry and cow manures increased the average yield of garlic to 18.51 and 20.92 ton ha−1, respectively, as compared to the sand mulch case (11.5 ton ha−1). The results of this study showed that the use of cow manure and poultry manure can increase soil fertility and better garlic yield. Moreover, the use of drip irrigation method instead of surface irrigation method, besides maintaining soil characteristics and consuming fewer water levels, was increased the average yield of garlic from 14.19 to 16.67 ton ha−1.