Garlic has a relatively long growth cycle, so it requires a lot of fertilizer during cultivation. However, fertilization of garlic is very important; improper fertilization can easily lead to a decline in garlic quality and a reduction in yield. So, what fertilizers are most detrimental to garlic? Let's find out below.
The fertilizer that garlic hates most
There are three main types of fertilizers that garlic should avoid: first, chlorine-based fertilizers, as garlic is a chlorine-sensitive crop; second, raw fertilizers, which are organic fertilizers that have not been fully decomposed; and third, concentrated fertilizers, which can easily "burn" the plants.
How to properly fertilize garlic?
1. Apply sufficient base fertilizer
Because garlic has shallow roots, few root hairs, and poor nutrient absorption capacity, it requires high-quality base fertilizer. Base fertilizer should generally consist mainly of well-rotted manure or cake fertilizer, supplemented with a certain amount of phosphorus and potassium compound fertilizer. Generally, apply 5,000 kg of high-quality organic fertilizer, 100 kg of cake fertilizer, and 25-35 kg of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium compound fertilizer per acre.
2. Apply seedling fertilizer early.
Applying seedling fertilizer early promotes rapid root development and seedling growth in garlic after emergence, improving the overwintering performance of autumn-sown garlic. Seedling fertilizer should be applied about 15 days after emergence, typically at a rate of 30 catties of urea per acre. However, if the soil fertility is good, this application may be unnecessary.
3. Apply fertilizer heavily during bolting.
The optimal time for fertilizing garlic after bolting is within 7-15 days. This period is crucial for garlic growth, requiring ample nutrients to support rapid growth and bud formation. Applying 25-30 kg of compound fertilizer per acre is recommended. Simultaneously, water every 5 days to keep the soil moist.
4. Skillfully apply fertilizer to strengthen the head
Generally, this is done 25-30 days after the garlic scapes sprout and fertilizer is applied. The main fertilizer is nitrogen fertilizer, and phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are applied at the same time. A fruit-enlarging fertilizer is applied per acre to meet the nutrient needs of garlic scape harvesting and garlic bulb enlargement.
