Studying the Effect of Harvest Dates and some Nutrients on the Productivity and Quality of Garlic

Two successful field trials were conducted in the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 growing seasons to examine the effect of harvest dates (1st April, 15th April, 1st May) and the foliar application of potassium nitrate, calcium nitrate, and magnesium sulfate at a rate of 0.20% (2 gL-1) on plant growth, yield, quality, and nutrient contents of garlic plant (cultivar Sids 40). The first harvest date, 1st April, scored the highest values of total yield at harvest time. The second harvest date, 15th April, produced the highest values for total garlic yield after curing, bulb weight and the contents of nitrogen, protein, potassium, and calcium in the garlic bulbs. However, the maximum sulfur content was achieved under the third harvest date, 1st May.In addition, K nitrate foliar spray recorded the highest values of bulb diameter, fresh and dry weight of plant, total yield at harvest and the cured yield, cured bulb weight and diameter, protein and N, K contents in the bulb. Mg sulfate foliar spray produced the highest values of plant length, neck diameter, bulbing ratio, and Mg content. While Ca nitrate foliar spray recorded the highest values of Ca bulb content.The highest total yield at harvest and after curing, bulb weight, and diameter recorded were assigned for the first harvest date in interaction with K nitrate foliar spray in both tested seasons. Furthermore, on the second harvest date, K nitrate foliar spray highly enhanced significant differences in total yield after curing, garlic bulb quality, and bulb nutrient contents.