Response of green garlic to plant density and spraying with algae extract

Abstract: This experiment was carried out to study the impact of plant density 5, 6, 7 and 8 lines/ ridge (22, 27, 31, 36 plants/m²) and foliar application of Ascophyllum nodosum and Ecklonia maxima extracts at rate of (0, 0.5 and 1 mL/L) and their interaction on plant growth, yield and chemical constituents of green garlic bulbs under new reclaimed soil. The obtained results showed that plant density 5 and 7 lines/ ridge recorded highest values of plant length, bulb diameter, plant fresh weight, nitrogen and crude protein percentage in dry matter of green garlic bulbs. The plant density of 5 lines/ ridge scored the highest values of leaf area, plant dry weight, bulb weight at harvest time and total carbohydrates concentration. In addition, plants cultivated at rate of 8 lines/ ridge gave the highest values of total yield of green garlic and bulbing ratio. The plant densities at rate of 5 and 6 lines/ ridge scored the highest values of bulb diameter and bulb dry matter at harvest time. Foliar application of 1 mL/L A. nodosum extract led to the highest total yield of green garlic, bulb weight at harvest time, bulb diameter, dry matter percentage, nitrogen and crude protein percentage in dry matter of bulbs. On the other hand, plants sprayed with 0.5 mL/L of A. nodosum and E. maxima extracts gave higher total carbohydrates concentration in bulbs than other treatments. Additionally, plants sprayed with 0.5 and 1 mL/L of A. nodosum extract gave higher potassium percentage in bulbs than other foliar application treatments.