Mulching effects on the yield and quality of garlic as second crop in rice fields

Plastic mulch increased minimum temperature of soil, accelerated plant height,early growth, early yield, and bring satisfactory weed control without anyapplication of herbicides. This experiment was laid out on three-factorialRandomized Complete Block Design with three replications during 2008-2010 atthe National Rice Research Institute, Rasht, Iran using three kinds of mulches(Transparent and black PE and rice straw). Results showed that garlic total yield,bulb ash percent, TSS, vitamin C and flavonoids content were affected bymulching. Although mulching could improved some quality indices in garlic but noeffect on forcing was observed. Due to two years experiment and interactionbetween year and mulches the usage of rice straw in rainy and cool season andplastic mulch in low rain fall and warm season recommended increasing garlicquality as second crop in rice field.