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 any application of herbicides. This experiment was laid out on three-factorial Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications during 2008-2010 at the 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 by mulching. Although mulching could improved some quality indices in garlic but no effect on forcing was observed. Due to two years experiment and interaction between year and mulches the usage of rice straw in rainy and cool season and plastic mulch in low rain fall and warm season recommended increasing garlic quality as second crop in rice field. Keywords: Garlic; Mulch; Early yield; Forcing; Second crop.