Adaptability of parental populations and selected garlic (Allium sativum L.) clones for introducing promising clones in Iran

Progress in garlic cultivation requires the evaluation and selection of superior clones adapted to diverse agroecological conditions in Iran. This study aimed to assess the adaptability of six promising garlic clones in comparison with three local garlic populations over a two-year period (2020-2021). The experiment was conducted in Hamedan, Zanjan, and Kerman provinces using a randomized complete block design with four replications at each location. Significant differences were observed in yield and associated yield-related traits among the evaluated clones and parental populations. Importantly, the selected clones outperformed their respective parental populations, with clones 7.15 and 8.11 achieving average yields of 13,018 kg/ha and exhibiting superior performance across all locations. Traits most strongly influencing yield included neck diameter, plant biomass, fresh and dry bulb weight, bulb length and diameter, bulb weight, dry plant yield, allicin yield, pseudo-stem height, total plant height, and bulb height. Allicin content varied significantly across regions, with most of the selected clones showing higher concentrations compared to the parental populations. Principal component and cluster analyses grouped the six clones and three parental populations into two distinct clusters. Clones 7.8, 1.11, 8.11, 1.15, and 7.15 were classified together due to their superior yield potential and favorable yield components. Overall, the findings indicated that clones 7.15 and 8.11 are highly adaptable and are recommended for large-scale cultivation in all three studied regions.