Effect of Irrigation Interval on Growth and Yield of Garlic (Allium sativum L.) in Sokoto, Nigeria

Abstract

Field Experiments were carried out at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching and Research Fadama Farm, Kwalkwalawa about 5km from Sokoto Town (latitude 13° Ol"N and longitude 05°l5"E, 300m above sea level.) to investigate the performance of garlic (Alliui sativum L) to varying levels of irrigation interval. The treatments consisted of four irrigation intervals in days (3, 5, 7 and 9days). Treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The experiments were conducted in 2 seasons (2002/03 and 2003104) The results obtained revealed that 3-day irrigation interval significantly affected number of leaves per plant, plant height at maturity, bulb yield bulb weight, number of cloves per bulb and clove weight throughout the period of investigation, while increase in the number of days between irrigation interval negatively affected both growth and yield performance of garlic. Generally, 3-day irrigation interval resulted in better growth and yield of garlic in both seasons.