Characteristics of dry matter production and N, P, K and S absorption for different garlic cultivars

Characteristics of dry matter production and N, P, K and S absorption of garlic were studied to provide a properly fertilizer application for a better cultivar quality and yield. The experimental materials were Early scape No. 2, Cangshan and Sulian No. 2 3 garlic cultivars, which had different produce purposes. Samples were taken for the measurement of dry matter production and N, P, K and S contents of single plant at the end of the seedling stage, the scape elongation stage and the bulb swelling stage, respectively. The results showed that, there were significant differences on N, P and S contents per plant among 3 cultivars during whole growth period. N, P and S contents per plant of in Sulian No. 2 was higher than Early scape No. 2and Cangshan. The K content per plant in Early scape No. 2 and Sulian No. 2 was higher than Cangshan. The ratios of N, P, K and S for Early scape No. 2, Cangshan and Sulian No. 2 were 8.96∶1∶5.03∶2.23, 6.01∶1∶2.90∶2.05 and 5.35∶1∶2.59∶1.83 for whole growth period, respectively. The S content of Early scape No. 2, Cangshan and Sulian No. 2, which are 0.64%、0.77%, 0.90%, respectively, were higher than other crops we known. The content per plant and absorption ratio of N, P, K and S at scape elongation stage were highest throughout the growth period coinciding with dry matter production. The content per plant and absorption ratio of N, P, K and S of Early scape No. 2, N and S of Cangshan and N, K and S of Sulian No. 2 in seedling stage were higher than those in bulb swelling stage, and the content per plant and absorption ratio of P and K of Cangshan and P of Sulian No. 2 in bulb swelling stage were bigger than those in seeding stage whereas the ratio of dry matter production in seeding stage were smaller than that in bulb swelling. In the process of economic yield forming, utilization efficiency of N and K among cultivars have no significant differences, but utilization efficiency of P and S among 3 cultivars have significant difference. The order was following: Early scape No.2 Cangshan Sulian No.2.