Garlic Production Research Articles

Impact of NPS rates on growth and yield of garlic (Allium sativum L.) varieties in greenhouse

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) has both culinary and medical applications. However, the low and uneven nutrient availability in the soil frequently limits the garlic yield. This study aimed to select adaptable garlic varieties under greenhouse conditions using a pot of soil taken from Awada and Wondo Genet and to identify the optimum rates of the newly introduced mineral nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur (NPS) fertilizer on the growth, yield, and yield parameters of the crop. Four garlic varieties; Bishoftu Nech, Tsedey 92, Kuriftu, and local variety were used and treated with four levels of NPS (0-0-0, 78.75-69-12.75, 105-92-17, and 131.25-115-21.25 kg ha−1). The experiment was triplicated and conducted with a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Growth characteristics of the four garlic varieties were evaluated, including days to 50 % emergence, plant height, leaf number per plant, leaf length, fresh weight, dry weight, average bulb weight, and total bulb yield. The findings of this study indicated that the growth, yield, and yield parameters of all four garlic varieties from Awada soil rose as the rates of NPS increased. However, all growth and production parameters of the four garlic varieties gradually fell, starting from the blanket recommendation from Wondo Genet soil. According to this research, the usage of NPS at the rate of (131.25-115-21.25 kg ha−1) resulted in improved growth in Awada soil. Similarly, the rate of (78.75-69-12.75 kg ha−1) was optimum at Wondo Genet soil. In conclusion, determining the optimum rates of the NPS is essential to increase garlic productivity.

Study on the Engineering Properties of Whole Garlic Bulbs and Garlic Cloves for Effective Design of Processing Machinery

The present experiment was conducted from February, 2024 to March, 2024 at the Department of Agricultural Process Engineering, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra, India to investigate the various engineering properties of garlic bulbs and garlic cloves. The engineering properties viz., physical, gravimetric and frictional properties, were studied for whole garlic bulbs and garlic cloves by considering their importance in developing different agricultural and post-harvest processing machinery. The weight 11.41 g, length (polar diameter) 33.69 mm, width (equatorial diameter) 29.51 mm, thickness 27.58 mm, arithmetic mean diameter 30.26 mm, geometric mean diameter 30.10 mm, shape index 0.88, sphericity 0.90, surface area 63.05 cm2, cross-sectional area 53.75 cm2, bulk density 449.50 kg m-3, true density 930.45 kg m-3, porosity 51.69%, moisture content 56.70% and angle of repose of garlic bulb 50.54° were obtained. Similar properties were determined for garlic cloves. The L, a and b values for garlic bulb and garlic cloves were 82.95, 0.23, 10.66 and 74.42, 0.28, 12.48, respectively. The water activity of garlic was found to be 0.98±0.02. The coefficient of friction of the garlic bulb and garlic cloves was measured for the selected testing surfaces such as mild steel (MS), stainless steel (SS), wood, glass and fiberglass which was considered in hopper design. The compression force required to loosen the cloves from the garlic bulb was calculated as 61 N. By integrating these engineering properties into the design process, manufacturers can develop equipments or machineries that are more efficient, durable and capable of producing high-quality garlic products.

Production monitoring and quality characterization of black garlic using Vis-NIR hyperspectral imaging integrated with chemometrics strategies

As a new deep-processing garlic product with notable health benefits, the accurate discrimination of processing stages and prediction of key physicochemical constituents in black garlic are vital for maintaining product quality. This study proposed a novel method utilizing hyperspectral imaging technology to both rapidly monitor the processing stages and quantitatively predict changes in the key physicochemical constituents during black garlic processing. Multiple methods of noise reduction and feature screening were used to process the acquired hyperspectral information. To differentiate processing stages, pattern recognition methods including linear discriminant analysis (LDA), K-nearest neighbor (KNN), support vector machine classification (SVC) analysis were utilized, achieving a discriminant accuracy of up to 98.46 %. Furthermore, partial least squares regression (PLSR) and support vector machine regression (SVR) analysis were performed to achieve quantitative prediction of the key physicochemical constituents including moisture and 5-HMF. PLSR models outperformed SVR models, with correlation coefficient of prediction of 0.9762 and 0.9744 for moisture and 5-HMF content, respectively. The current study can not only offer an effective approach for quality detection and assessment during black garlic processing, but also have a positive significance for the advancement of black garlic related industries.

Systems thinking in sustainable agriculture development: a case study of garlic production in Indonesia

Sustainable agriculture involves complex interactions among social, economic, and ecological dimensions, each with distinct interests and goals. Achieving sustainable agricultural development is challenging and requires a comprehensive response. This study focuses on Indonesia’s garlic production, employing a systems thinking approach to provide a holistic understanding of the interconnected factors influencing sustainable agricultural systems. We utilized the first two steps of the five-step systems thinking methodology—problem articulation and the formulation of dynamic hypotheses. This process involved developing a causal loop diagram (CLD) to represent the dynamic hypotheses and identifying system archetypes to determine leverage and potential intervention points. Our analysis identified three system archetypes—Drifting Goals, Fixes that Fail, and Limit to Growth—as key patterns influencing the sustainability of garlic production. The Drifting Goals archetype reveals that efforts to boost local garlic stock in Indonesia are hindered by the allocation of garlic for seeds, due to the lack of a clear distinction between garlic for consumption and seed. The Fixes that Fail archetype illustrates the long-term detrimental effects of short-term agricultural practices, such as the overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The Limit to Growth archetype underscores the critical need for enhanced market access and a shift in consumer preferences to sustain garlic farming. To address these challenges, we recommend establishing clear distinctions between garlic for consumption and seed production, developing the seed industry, promoting integrated pest management, and reducing reliance on chemical inputs through environmentally friendly technology. Additionally, ensuring market and price stability is vital to maintain farmers’ interest in garlic cultivation. Therefore, the government should prioritize market penetration for local garlic and consistently enforce import restrictions to ensure the sustainability of garlic production in Indonesia.

Extraction of Garlic in the North China Plain Using Multi-Feature Combinations from Active and Passive Time Series Data

Garlic constitutes a significant small-scale agricultural commodity in China. A key factor influencing garlic prices is the planted area, which can be accurately and efficiently determined using remote sensing technology. However, the spectral characteristics of garlic and winter wheat are easily confused, and the widespread intercropping of these crops in the study area exacerbates this issue, leading to significant challenges in remote sensing image analysis. Additionally, remote sensing data are often affected by weather conditions, spatial resolution, and revisit frequency, which can result in delayed and inaccurate area extraction. In this study, historical data were utilized to restore Sentinel-2 remote sensing images, aimed at mitigating cloud and rain interference. Feature combinations were devised, incorporating two vegetation indices into a comprehensive time series, along with Sentinel-1 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) time series and other temporal datasets. Multiple classification combinations were employed to extract garlic within the study area, and the accuracy of the classification results was systematically analyzed. First, we used passive satellite imagery to extract winter crops (garlic, winter wheat, and others) with high accuracy. Second, we identified garlic by applying various combinations of time series features derived from both active and passive remote sensing data. Third, we evaluated the classification outcomes of various feature combinations to generate an optimal garlic cultivation distribution map for each region. Fourth, we developed a garlic fragmentation index to assess the impact of landscape fragmentation on garlic extraction accuracy. The findings reveal that: (1) Better results in garlic extraction can be achieved using active–passive time series remote sensing. The performance of the classification model can be further enhanced by incorporating short-wave infrared bands or spliced time series data into the classification features. (2) Examination of garlic cultivation fragmentation using the garlic fragmentation index aids in elucidating variations in accuracy across the study area’s six counties. (3) Comparative analysis with validation samples demonstrated superior garlic extraction outcomes from the six primary garlic-producing counties of the North China Plain in 2021, achieving an overall precision exceeding 90%. This study offers a practical exploration of target crop identification using multi-source remote sensing data in mixed cropping areas. The methodology presented here demonstrates the potential for efficient, cost-effective, and accurate garlic classification, which is crucial for improving garlic production management and optimizing agricultural practices. Moreover, this approach holds promise for broader applications, such as nationwide garlic mapping.

Use of E-Nose in inspecting the effect of processing type on the aroma of garlic (Allium Sativum L.): a critical hint in the quality assessment

Controlling the quality and health of foodstuffs is of great importance. The quality of foods like garlic is strongly influenced by the conditions of processing. Fungal infection is one of the most common hazards of garlic productivity that can affect its processing as well. This research aimed to use the E-Nose to investigate the aroma of garlic as a quality control factor influenced by different treatments such as type of processing, type of fungal infection, and time elapsed since the date of inoculation. The data was investigated and categorized through different methods such as principal component analysis (PCA), linear discriminant analysis (LDA), Support vector machine (SVM), and backpropagation neural network (BPNN). The Index of deterioration toughness increased during the monitoring period. In the analysis of the data related to the unprocessed whole (UW), dried slices (DS), garlic powder (PO), and garlic tablet (TA), the PCA included 55%, 75%, 47%, and 53% of the data, respectively. The LDA was able to classify the aroma of UW, DS, PO, and TA samples based on the TFI treatment with an accuracy of 90%, 93.33%, 88.89%, and 60%, respectively. Also, the BPNN classified the aromas of UW, DS, PO, and TA samples based on the TEI treatment with an accuracy of 90%, 95.6%, 72.2%, and 82.2%, respectively. The results revealed that the aroma alteration can be used as a comprehensive factor in the quality control of processed products. As well, the type of processing had significant effects on the severity of decay caused by fungal infection.Graphical

A comprehensive review on impact of post-harvest management and treatment practices on the quality of garlic (Allium sativum L) during storage

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) plays a crucial role in global agriculture due to its culinary and medicinal uses, but it faces significant post-harvest losses due to moisture, temperature fluctuations, and pest infestations. Proper storage and handling practices can mitigate these losses, yet conventional methods like curing, dehydration, cryopreservation, and vacuum sealing still result in 25–40 % losses during storage. This review investigates the types, factors, and causes of garlic losses, focusing on biological factors such as microbial infections pest infestations, and premature sprouting which cause decay and deformities. Physical factors such as mechanical damage, inadequate curing, temperature fluctuations, humidity, and prolonged light exposure also contribute to deterioration. This review explores practices and treatments to minimize losses, detailing their mechanisms, benefits, and commercial potential. It compares thermal and non-thermal technologies such as irradiation, ozone treatment, nanotechnologies, edible coatings, and films. Irradiation is effective against pathogens but may lead to nutrient loss, ozone treatment provides microbial control with minimal residue. Nanotechnologies, edible coatings, and films help extend shelf life by reducing microbial growth and moisture loss, with considerations for safety and consumer acceptance. The review highlights the need for innovative solutions to reduce losses and preserve the nutritional value and safety, contributing to sustainable garlic production and food security. Additionally, it evaluates the implications of these management practices for sustainability and circular economy. The findings highlight the need for further research to enhance the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and environmental sustainability of post-harvest technologies to ensure the long-term viability and profitability of garlic production.

Impact of Organic Manures and Liquid Formulations on Garlic Growth, Yield and Quality in Uttarakhand, India

The field study was carried out to VCSG, UUHF, Pauri Garhwal in 2022-2023 to investigate the integrated effect of organic manures and organic liquid formulations on the growth and yield of garlic. The main objective of this study was to determine the benefits of using organic manures and liquid formulations over conventional farming because the abundant use of nitrogenous fertilizers causes excessive vegetative growth at the expense of bulb formation. Among fourteen different treatment combinations that consist of various combinations of organic manures (FYM and Vermicompost) and organic liquid formulations (Panchgavya and Jeevamrit) treatment T3 i.e., FYM (10t/ha) + Panchgavya (2%) emerged as the best treatment concerning growth and yield of garlic. The findings showed that the maximum plant height (69.080 cm), number of leaves (8.400), leaf length (47.880 cm) and breadth (3.207 cm), and leaf area index (1.023) at all the 30 days intervals after sowing of garlic has been observed with the application of Treatment T3. The fundamental reason for the increased growth might be due to growth-promoting substances like auxins and gibberellins in panchgavya and high nitrogen and phosphorus in FYM. Concerning yield and quality attributes, the bulb diameter (5.657 cm), fresh weight of bulb (64.643 cm), length of the bulb (5.853 cm), number of cloves per bulb (12.200), bulb yield (120.833 q), total chlorophyll content (2.127 mg/g) and ascorbic acid content (15.333 mg/100g) was obtained maximum with the application of same treatment T3 i.e., FYM (10t/ha) + Panchgavya (2%) with yield increases up to 30% compared to control. However, the harvest index percent was found to be maximum (89.243 %) in treatment T13 i.e., Vermicompost (5t/ha) + Jeevamrit (6%). These findings suggest that organic farming practices can effectively enhance garlic production, offering a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers. Moreover, this study provides practical insights for farmers and contributes to the growing body of research on sustainable agriculture.

Penicillium species associated with postharvest blue mold rots of garlic in Serbia.

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is an important plant because of its medicinal and gastronomical benefits. The host can be affected by different plant pathogens, among which Penicillium species are one of the most important rot agents, of stored garlic and other stored food products. This research resolves the etiology of blue mold rots associated with garlic in Serbia. Penicillium-like isolates were collected (2016-2022) from diseased stored garlic bulbs in Serbia and identified using a polyphasic approach. Detailed characterization of the obtained cultures was performed using three solid media, three incubation temperatures, molecular and phylogenetic analyses of four molecular loci [internal transcribed spacer (ITS), beta-tubulin (BenA), calmodulin (CaM) and DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2)] and the pathogenicity assay. Five Penicillium species, i.e. P. allii, P. glabrum, P. italicum, P. polonicum, and P. psychrotrophicum were identified and confirmed as postharvest pathogens of garlic. Herein, we report for the first time the pathogenicity of P. psychrotrophicum and P. italicum on garlic. Findings from this study provide insights into the previously unknown diversity of Penicillium fungi responsible for garlic bulb decay in Serbia, and will help in the assessment of the phytosanitary status of this crop, as well as the creation and application of effective disease management strategies.

'The Garlic Gambit': an alternative strategy for controlling vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus F.; Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

Plant protection products derived from plant material are proposed to be a sustainable alternative to conventional synthetic chemical pesticides. This study determines the efficacy of a commercially available bioinsecticide based on garlic (Allium sativum L.; Asparagales: Amaryllidaceae) extract against vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus F.; Coleoptera: Curculionidae) eggs and larvae in contact, fumigation and a combination of contact and fumigation bioassays under laboratory conditions. Results showed that garlic significantly reduced egg hatch rate compared to the control group when applied as a fumigant. Similarly, the egg hatch rate was reduced compared to the control group when garlic was applied as combined contact and fumigant applications. No effect was observed when the garlic product was applied as a contact application. The bioinsecticide significantly reduced larval survival when either contact or fumigant applications were used. A combined contact and fumigant effect was shown also when vine weevil eggs were exposed to the bioinsecticide for 30 days in plastic containers containing growing media. The number of larvae recovered after this period was significantly reduced compared to the control group. This study demonstrates the potential of garlic-based bioinsecticides, such as Pitcher GR, for vine weevil control. Further studies are, however, needed to determine the efficacy of such bioinsecticides under field conditions and investigate how these products can be most effectively used as a part of a wider vine weevil integrated pest management program.

The Effect of Drying Temperature and Time on The Chemical Characteristic, Total Phenolic Content, and Organoleptic Properties of Black Garlic Herbal Tea

Black garlic is a functional food known to be beneficial for health. Most people favor the organoleptic properties produced, so it needs handling to improve, namely by drying, which produces black garlic herbal tea products. This study aims to determine the effect of drying temperature and time on chemical characteristics, total phenolic content, and the organoleptic properties of black garlic herbal tea. The experiment was conducted with a two-factor, completely randomized design. The first factor is drying temperature, which consists of two levels (50 and 60⁰C). The second factor is drying time, which consists of two levels (5 and 6 hours). The observation results were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and continued with DMRT further test at a 5 % confidence level. The results showed that black garlic herbal tea's temperature and drying time significantly affected chemical characteristics, total phenolic content, and color but had no significant effect on aroma, taste, and overall. The chemical characteristic results in the 60 ⁰C drying temperature for 6 hours contained 7.65 % moisture content, 2.98 % ash, and 4.06 mgGAE/g total phenolic content.

Comparative content analysis and biological activity studies of fatty and essential oils from some garlic products sold in Turkish community pharmacies, natural, and fermented garlic

AbstractGarlic (Alliaceae), an annual herb, is renowned not only for its distinctive flavor but also for its extensive therapeutic applications in managing various ailments and health conditions. In this study, garlic products identified as the best‐selling items in Turkish pharmacies for various purposes were compared with garlic grown under standard conditions in terms of chemical composition and antidiabetic, anticholinesterase, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. Three of garlic samples were prepared by researchers. According to survey results, the most commonly sold garlic‐related products in pharmacies are black garlic extract tablets (4), capsules (5), garlic oil (6), garlic oil pearls (7), and fermented garlic (8). Diallyl disulfide (DADS) was identified as a predominant compound in sampled oils, ranging from 4.9% to 48.6%. Another noteworthy finding is the identification of allyl methyl disulfide and allyl methyl trisulfide as major components in sampled oils, with concentrations spanning from 2.9% to 9.8% and 0.4% to 17.5%, respectively. In both 2,2′‐azino‐bis‐(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic) acid (ABTS·+) and 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) tests, Sample 1 (fermented) exhibited the highest antioxidant activity. Sample 3 (cultivated) was richer in total phenol–total tannin content. Sample 6 exhibited the highest α‐glucosidase inhibition among antidiabetic activities, reaching 28.93%. Sample 5 capsules demonstrated the highest α‐amylase inhibition at 51.50%. Sample 7 exhibited the most notable inhibition against both acetylcholinesterase (22.92%) and butyrylcholinesterase (13.37%). Samples 3, 6, and 8 were found to be more effective against Candida tropicalis with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) = 625 μg/mL. A comprehensive study on garlic products, including popular items from Turkish pharmacies and those grown under standard conditions, revealed diverse chemical compositions and multifaceted health properties.

Characterization of a short-term processing technology of black garlic with low 5-HMF content

Black garlic, a deep-processed product of garlic, is widely favored in various Asian countries. Traditional black garlic production typically takes 60–90 days, resulting in low production efficiency and the formation of potentially harmful levels of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF). In this study, we implemented a novel production process capable of producing short-term black garlic (SBG) with significantly reduced levels of 5-HMF within just 8.6 h. A comparative analysis was conducted to investigate the quality disparities between SBG and commercially black garlic (CBG), encompassing assessments on color, physicochemical properties, characteristic components, in vitro antioxidant capacity, and volatile compounds. The results indicated that there were no significant differences in color between SBG and CBG. SBG exhibited higher levels of protein, reducing sugar, and polyphenols. 5-HMF, allicin, and S-allyl-l-cysteine (SAC) were selected as characteristic ingredients of black garlic. The concentration of 5-HMF in SBG was only 5.6% compared to CBG. SAC content in SBG was 2.3 times higher than in CBG and 11.3 times higher than in fresh garlic, while allicin was not detected in SBG samples. When comparing black garlic extracts at the same concentration, the antioxidant capacity of SBG was found to be stronger than that of CBG. Key flavor compounds identified in CBG included diallyl tetrasulfide, 5-methyl-2-furanmethanethiol, allyl methyl sulfide, dimethyl tetrasulfide, diallyl disulfide, diallyl sulfide, and dimethyl trisulfide. In contrast, key flavor compounds identified in SBG were 2-acetylthiophene, allyl methyl sulfide, 5-methyl-2-thiophenecarboxaldehyde, 2-acetylthiazole, dimethyl trisulfide, diallyl sulfide, and dimethyl disulfide. Compared to CBG samples, the aroma profile of SBGs exhibited a more pleasant scent with reduced pungency.

Anti-adipogenesis and anti-obesity potential of alliin mediated by modulating glycolipid metabolism via activating PPARγ signaling.

Garlic exhibits hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, and cardiovascular benefits. The inconsistent results of garlic preparations on adipogenesis have caused more confusion in the public and academia. The compounds responsible for the anti-adipogenesis effect of garlic remain unknown. The present study aimed to verify the real anti-adipogenesis and anti-obesity component in garlic and explored its possible effects in metabolic syndrome. We verified the real anti-adipogenesis and anti-obesity components of garlic in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and a 10-week-high fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. In vitro, two water-soluble and four typical lipid-soluble compounds of garlic were tested for their anti-adipogenesis. Then, the water-soluble compound, alliin, and two processing methods produced garlic oils, were evaluated in vivo study. Mice received oral administration of alliin (25mg/kg) and garlic oils (15mg/kg) daily for 8weeks. Serum lipids, parameters of obesity, and indicators involved in regulating glycolipid metabolism were examined. Our findings confirmed that both water-soluble and lipid-soluble organosulfur compounds of garlic contributed to garlic's anti-adipogenesis effect, in which water-soluble sulfides, especially alliin, exhibited greater potency. Alliin possessed potent effects of anti-obesity and improvement in glucose and lipid metabolism in HFD-induced obese mice. Alliin mediated these effects partly attributed to its modulation of enzymatic activities within glycolipid metabolism and activating PPARγ signaling pathway. In contrast to odorous lipid-soluble sulfides, alliin is odorless, stable, and safe, and is an ideal nutraceutical or even medicinal candidates for the treatment of metabolic diseases. Alliin could be used to standardize the quality of garlic products.

Performance of the growth and yields of some local varieties of garlic (Allium sativum l.) in medium lands

Abstract Based on data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) in 2021. garlic production is only around 45.09 thousand tons. The purpose of the study was to determine the morphological and physiological characters of plants of six varieties of garlic in the medium area. This study was conducted from October 2022 to February 2023. The experiment used a simple randomized group design (RAK) with varieties as treatment consisting of six varieties. including: Lumbu putih. Lumbu Kuning. Sangga Sembalun. Lumbu hijau and Tawangmangu baru. The observed data were analyzed statistically using variety analysis with DSAASTAT EXCEL SOFTWARE VERSION 1.101. If the variance analysis shows a real difference. then proceed with Duncan’s multiple distance test at a real level of 5%. The data were analyzed using fingerprint analysis and if there were differences between treatments. a BNT 5% follow-up test was carried out. Observations were made on plant height. number of leaves. plant diameter. plant wet weight. plant dry weight. root weight. root length. root width. chlorophyll content a. chlorophyll content b. stomata and weight of plant tubers. The results showed that Lumbu hijau has better growth. low moisture content than other varieties and shows the highest tuber yield

The Economic Profitability of Garlic Cultivation through the Application of the ”De Minimis” Aid Scheme, Estimates for the Year 2024 in Romania

Abstract The culture of Romanian garlic has a high potential from an economic point of view, being in great demand on the market, Romanians preferring its taste and aroma. However, ..garlic cultivation does not have an easy technology and the Romanian seed is hard to find, so many of the producers are discouraged and prefer to cultivate other, safer crops. Massive imports of garlic led to measures from the state. Underscoring the importance of garlic cultivation for the Romanian economy, the state met agricultural producers with a “de minimis” support to support garlic production. The present paper, in order to contribute to making the necessary decisions for the future production cycle as well as to support farmers who want to cultivate this crop, analyzes the economic efficiency with the help of profitability indicators (profit, profitability rates, breackeven point, etc.), for two possible situations: with financial support granted through the Garlic Production Support Program and without taking into account this “de minimis” support. In this context, it is aimed to evaluate the economic viability in terms of the use of the production framework technology of garlic culture and the rational use of both the raw materials used and the human and financial resources to produce garlic of high quality but at low costs. Agricultural activities are always determined by the profitability of the crop. The findings of the study can have a positive impact on farmers, allowing them to adjust their material resources and current farm capacities for higher productivity, while highlighting the importance of implementing the garlic crop support program.

Adapting to diversified garlic-maize rotation systems by adjusting nitrogen application: Assessing crop yield, nitrogen utilization, and nitrogen footprint

Diversified crop rotation is crucial for maintaining sustainable agricultural production by improving resource use efficiency, balancing soil nutrients, and preserving biodiversity. Despite these benefits, there is a notable gap in research concerning the nutrient transport characteristics in cash crop-grain rotation systems. This study was to investigate: (i) the nitrogen (N) uptake and distribution among the different plant organs in rotation crops; (ii) the N footprint in different growth seasons in response to crop N fertilization and residual N in the soil; and (iii) the influence of environmental factors on the productivity and N footprint in cash-grain rotation systems. In the three-year rotation system, N fertilizer was applied at the rates of 220, 175, and 130 kg N eq ha−1 for maize, and 300 and 240 kg N eq ha−1 for garlic. Results showed that maintaining a high N application rate during the garlic season and appropriately reducing it during the maize season (G300M175) enhanced N transfer to the grains of maize, increasing maize N use efficiency by 18.9%, while simultaneously increasing garlic dry matter and N accumulation. While the maize yield remained stable, garlic yield decreased with the reduced N rate, resulting in a significant reduction in N footprint. Water supplies (precipitation and irrigation) positively impacted dry matter accumulation, N absorption and yield, while reducing N footprint in both crops. Elevated air temperature favored maize yield but hindered garlic production and raised garlic N footprint. Although N fertilizer increased N footprint per unit land area (NFa), it decreased the N footprint per unit N uptake by crops (NFn) while boosting crop yields. Maintaining a suitable N input rate for cash crops in previous season while reducing N input in the following season staple crops can enhance the whole systems’ productivity while decreasing the nitrogen footprint.

Lipid Profile and Blood Glucose Levels of Wistar Rats Fed a Non-High Fat Nutriment Supplemented with Black Garlic Extract

Many studies related to the therapeutic effect of black garlic (BG) have been carried out on cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, dyslipidemia and other diseases. This investigation was conducted to examine the effect of BG supplements on the lipid profile and blood glucose of rats fed a customary diet (non-high fat diet). A fermented black garlic product was extracted by a maceration method and its phytochemical components were analyzed using LCMS. Black garlic extract was given to healthy rats with a normal feed for 14 days. Twenty-four rats were divided into 4 groups of 6 rats. As a control, group A was given aquadest (placebo), and groups B, C, and D were given BG extract at a dose of 15 mg/kg BW, 30 mg/kg BW, and 45 mg/kg BW, respectively. On day 15, blood was taken from the retro-orbital plexus of the rats to measure the total levels of cholesterol, High-Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol (HDL-C), Triglyceride (TG), Low-Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol (LDL-C) and glucose. Black garlic made by fermentation at 80°C for 8 days contained more monosaccharides, disaccharides and oligosaccharides than fresh garlic. Black garlic contained 32 types of organosulfur compounds, and the 5 most abundant compounds were allicin (5.813%), allin (4.993%), isoallin (3.77%), cycloalliin (3.163%) and (-) S-allyl-L-cysteine (2.022%). Black garlic extract administration was able to maintain blood glucose homeostasis in rats fed a normal diet (non-high fat diet). Levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL-C were significantly decreased in groups administered black garlic compared to the control group, whilst the level of HDL-C increased significantly in groups administered black garlic compared to the control group.

Antifungal efficacy of garlic (Allium sativum L.) on selected crop seed-borne fungi

This study aimed to assess the inhibitory effectiveness of garlic products on fungi associated with cowpea, sorghum, maize, and groundnut seeds. The in-vivo evaluation involved a seed culture bioassay treated with garlic aqueous extract, while the in vitro antifungal activity of the extract on the radial growth of isolated fungi was determined using the agar well diffusion method. The treatments included garlic powder, garlic paste, garlic powder + molasses, garlic aqueous extracts at 100%, garlic aqueous extracts + adjuvant, and Thiram® (a synthetic fungicide). On untreated cowpea seeds, Aspergillus niger was the most frequently isolated fungal species, with an incidence of 61.5%. Cowpea seeds treated with 100% garlic extracts showed zero incidence of fungal colonies, whereas sorghum seeds + garlic aqueous extract displayed only A. niger. The in vitro study revealed that the inhibitory effect of 100% garlic aqueous extracts + adjuvant on the radial growth inhibition of A. niger, A. flavus, and P. chrysogenum was 78.86%, 70.40%, and 67.36%, respectively. In contrast, the inhibition by garlic powder + molasses and the control was significantly lower (p≤0.05) than other treatments. In conclusion, this study suggests that garlic extracts could be a potential source of organically-based natural fungicides for safeguarding crop seeds.

NMR Metabolite Profiling for the Characterization of Vessalico Garlic Ecotype and Bioactivity against Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris.

The Italian garlic ecotype "Vessalico" possesses distinct characteristics compared to its French parent cultivars Messidor and Messidrôme, used for sowing, as well as other ecotypes in neighboring regions. However, due to the lack of a standardized seed supply method and cultivation protocol among farmers in the Vessalico area, a need to identify garlic products that align with the Vessalico ecotype arises. In this study, an NMR-based approach followed by multivariate analysis to analyze the chemical composition of Vessalico garlic sourced from 17 different farms, along with its two French parent cultivars, was employed. Self-organizing maps allowed to identify a homogeneous subset of representative samples of the Vessalico ecotype. Through the OPLS-DA model, the most discriminant metabolites based on values of VIP (Variable Influence on Projections) were selected. Among them, S-allylcysteine emerged as a potential marker for distinguishing the Vessalico garlic from the French parent cultivars by NMR screening. Additionally, to promote sustainable agricultural practices, the potential of Vessalico garlic extracts and its main components as agrochemicals against Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris, responsible for black rot disease, was explored. The crude extract exhibited a MIC of 125 μg/mL, and allicin demonstrated the highest activity among the tested compounds (MIC value of 31.25 μg/mL).