Vegetos

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during Rabi 2014- 2015 to find out the response of garlic to foliar application of urea and micronutrients in various combinations and to exploit the possibility of economizing cost of fertilizers through proper management practices. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with 17 treatment combinations, which included foliar application of urea fertilizer (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0%) and micronutrients [(Zn, Fe, Mn (0.5%) and Cu (0.2%)] with three replications. The influence of these treatments was observed on yield and quality parameters as well as economics of garlic. The maximum bulb yield (155.51 q/ha), dry matter content of leaf and clove (45.18 and 48.00%) and total soluble solids (36.01%) was recorded in treatment where foliar spray of 1.5% urea + 0.5% ZnSO₄ was done at 30, 45 and 60 days after planting but it was statistically at par with foliar spray of 2.0% urea + 0.5% ZnSO₄. However, the minimum bulb yield (132.91 q/ha), dry matter content of leaf and clove (39.33 and 38.49%) and total soluble solids (32.13%) was found in control treatments. The benefit cost ratio was higher in treatment with foliar spray of 1.5% urea + 0.5% ZnSO₄ which was followed by spray of 2.0% urea + 0.5% ZnSO₄ but sulphur content was maximum (1.21%) in treatment where foliar spray of 2.0% urea + 0.5% ZnSO₄. Thus, the foliar application of 1.5% urea in combination with 0.5% zinc sulphate gave not only superior performance but also be economical and profitable.