EVALUATION OF "AVRDC" INTERNATIONAL GARLIC COLLECTION UNDER EGYPTIAN CONDITIONS

   Nineteen entries of exotic garlic from AVRDC in Taiwan as well as the Egyptian garlic (Balady cv.) were evaluated, Kafr El-Sheikh, during two successive seasons. Sowing followed on October 1^st each season. A randomized complete block design with four replications was used. Plot size was 20.0 m² where 24 plants/m² were grown. Ten plants were sampled per plot at the maximum growth stage and average leaves number, plant height, pseudostem length, leaf length and width were recorded. Yield and its components were determined after one month of harvesting. Duncan's multiple range test was used for comparison among entries for all traits. Phenotypic correlation among traits was calculated. Results are summarized as follows: 14 and 4 entries out of 19 ones gave higher yield than the Egyptian garlic in the first and second season, respectively. Eighteen entries produced number of cloves/bulb lower than those of the Egyptian garlic. Total yield was positively correlated with each of pseudostem length, average bulb weight, average bulb diameter and average clove weight. Each of VFG 180 (3-1), VFG 176 m6, VFG 29 and VFG 77.6 had average clove weight around 5 g and produced higher yield than the local cultivar. Therefore, yield of adapted foreign garlic under Egyptian conditions may be increased from year to another. However, a reduction in average clove weight would be expected. Therefore, these entries can be utilized as new cultivars in Egyptian cultivation.

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