Journal of Taiwan Agricultural Research

Author:Yee-Ting Wang

Abstract:

    Garlic (Allium sativum L. cv. ‘I-Lan White’) seed bulbs were exposed to 25°, 30°, 35° or 40℃ hot-air for 0-, 10-, 20-, or 30-day drying. The quality of hot-air dried bulbs was evaluated. Some separated cloves were planted in flats and kept in a 20℃ dark chamber for germination test. Drying at 40℃ caused elevated respiration rate, quality damage, and total loss of germination of the bulbs. Drying at 25°, 30°, or 35℃ for 10 days was enough to produce well-dried firm bulbs, which had low respiration rates. Drying at 25℃ for 20 or 30 days or drying at 30° or 35℃ for 10, 20, or 30 days all resulted in earlier germination after sowing and more rapid seedling elongation compared to the undried control. Although the most effective treatment was 30-day drying at 35℃, 10- or 20- or 30-day drying at 35℃ or 30-day drying at 30℃ all resulted in 3- to 4-week acceleration of achieving 100％ germination after sowing. Hot-air drying can be applied to garlic seed bulbs, which would be sown very shortly after harvest.

Key words:Hot-air drying, Respiration rate, Water content, Length ratio of bud vs. clove, Germination percentage

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