causes withering of leaves. Application of methyl demeton 25EC or dimethoate 30EC at
1ml/l will check the pest incidence. Leaf spot caused by Alternaria solanii can be controlled
by spraying Dithane M.45 at fortnightly intervals at 2.5g/l of water. Garlic is harvested when
the tops turn yellowish or brownish and show signs of drying up. The plants are uprooted,
tied into small bundles and kept in shade for 2-3 days for curing. Average yield of garlic is
6 - 8t/ha. ( Kumar et al, 1997.)
Properties and activity
Garlic bulb is reported to contain volatile oil, alliin ( S-allyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide),
S-methyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide and allinase. It is rich in vitamins like thiamine, riboflavine
and niacin. Volatile oil contains allicin (diallyl thiosulphinate), an active odour principle of
garlic. Other major compounds present are diallyl disulphide, diallyl trisulphide, allyl methyl
trisulphide and allyl methyl disulphide (Husain et al., 1992).
Garlic bulb is antirheumatic, stimulant, diaphoretic, expectorant, diuretic,
antispasmodic, astringent, antiparalytic, antileprotic, aperient, febrifuge, carminative,
stomachic, alterative and emmenagogue. The essential oil is hypocholestrolemic,
hypotensive, antitumour and antidiabetic. Diallyl disulphide and diallyl trisulphide from
essential oil have larvicidal action. Bulbs also have anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal activity.