New high yielding garlic cultivars recommended

Researchers of the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in Batac, Ilocos Norte have found three pest resistant garlic cultivars that thrive well under Ilocos conditions for yields higher that the Ilocos White variety planted by Ilocos farmers

Dr. Miriam E. Pascua, research team leader and dean of the MMSU College of Agriculture and Forestry, said the garlic cultivars are Mindoro 1, Cabuyao and Tan Bolters.

Mindoro 1 matures in 127 days after sowing, while Cabuyao and Tan Bolters mature in 120 and 122 days respectively. On the average, the bulbs of Mindoro 1 are much heavier (34.6 g) than those of Cabuyao (14.9g) and Tan Bolters (14g). Their bulbs are as pungent as the Ilocos White.

Mindoro 1 and Cabuyao are resistant to the three most common disease of garlic (purple blotch, fusarium basal rot, and cercospora leaf spot), thrips and leaf folders. Tan Bolters is moderately resistant to the three disease, but is also resistant to thrips and leaf folders. These cultivar have the inherent ability to withstand insect damage and disease infection.

Dr. Pascua said farmers can realize a higher net income by planting the three cultivars. It is less costly to produce the three cultivars because there is no apparent need to spray the plants with chemical pesticides.

For more information, write, call or visit, Communication and Media Relations, Mariano Marcos State University, 2906 Batac Ilocos Norte tel. no. 077-792-2556; fax 077-792-3131, 077-792-3191. [email protected]. — Sosimo Ma. Pablico