Effect of different mulch materials applications on weed control, plant characteristics, and yield in garlic (Allium sativum L.)

This study was conducted in plots under controlled conditions in the Silvan district of Diyarbakır Province in 2023. The local garlic genotype (Allium sativum L.) from Diyarbakır was used as the plant material. Three different organic mulching materials (sawdust, pine, and straw) were applied at a thickness of 5 cm. The effects of these mulching materials on leaf number, root length, plant height, number of cloves per plant, plant density, bulb diameter, dry and fresh weight of garlic, dry and fresh weight of weeds, weed density, and yield were analysed. A total of 34 weed species from 15 families were identified in the experimental area. The most common weed species in the plots were Chenopodium vulvaria L., Amaranthus blitum L., and Eragrostis pectinacea L. Based on the obtained data, it was concluded that mulching had a significant effect on garlic yield and weed control, with the highest yield using pine mulch.