Balanced Fertilization Increases Garlic Yield in Anhui

Field experiments with garlic show that rational use of potassium (K) greatly promoted garlic growth and yield. Balanced fertilization is shown to im-prove crop value by a large margin, with farm income being enhanced considerably. Ahigh-yielding garlic crop demands large amounts of nutrients,especially nitrogen (N) and K. Garlic is particularly sensitive tolow soil K supply. Based on traditional practice, garlic growers in southeast China tend to rely on fertilizer sources that contain only N and phosphorus (P)resulting in steadily declining available soil K lev-els. Potassium uptake imbalance relative to N can predispose the crop to serious disease and insect damage. In addition to loss of garlic shoot and clove yields, crop quality is also lower, reducing the viability of this cash crop alternative. Balanced fertilization technology improves both nutri-ent management practices by farmers and eliminates the effect of K de-ficiency on garlic production. Educational activities to promote this prac-tice are being pursued. This article outlines results from field trials conducted at three site