Interactions of planting dates and mulching practices on growth and yield of garlic (Allium sativum L.) in central India

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is a globally important spice crop valued for its culinary, medicinal and nutraceutical properties, with India being a major producer. Crop growth, yield and quality are highly influenced by planting time and mulching practices, which regulate soil moisture, temperature and weed suppression. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different planting dates and mulching treatments on garlic growth, pest and disease incidence, yield and quality under central Indian conditions. A field experiment was conducted during the 2020–21 rabi season at central India, Jabalpur (MP), to evaluate the effects of planting dates and mulching on growth, pest and disease incidence, yield and quality of garlic (Allium sativum L., variety G-50). The trial was laid out in a factorial randomised block design with three planting dates (15 November, 1 December, 16 December) and three mulching treatments (plastic mulch, paddy straw mulchand no mulch). Growth, bulb morphometry, Stemphylium blight, thrips infestation, yield and quality parameters were recorded at different day intervals. Results revealed highly significant interaction effects of planting date and mulch on all growth, yield and quality traits. Early planting (15 November) combined with plastic mulch consistently produced superior vegetative growth, larger bulbs, higher clove weight, maximum total and marketable yield (90.10 q/ha and 80.45 kg/plot) and improved quality traits (TSS 39.58 °B; dry matter 42.16 %) while minimising pest and disease incidence. Conversely, late planting without mulch (16 December, no mulch) resulted in the poorest performance. The study concludes that timely planting coupled with appropriate mulching, particularly plastic mulch, is a highly effective agronomic strategy to enhance garlic growth, yield and quality under central Indian conditions.