Garlic Growth & Nutrition Quiz Quiz

Explore the essentials of garlic cultivation, from planting methods to soil nutrition and harvest practices. This quiz covers key concepts for successful garlic growing in horticulture and small-scale agriculture.

1. Best Time to Plant Garlic

   When is the most suitable season for planting garlic cloves to ensure proper development in temperate regions?

   1. Autumn
   2. Summer
   3. Mid-Winter
   4. Late Spring

   Explanation: Autumn planting gives garlic enough time to establish roots before winter dormancy, resulting in larger bulbs at harvest. Summer and late spring are generally too warm and may not provide the necessary cold period. Mid-winter is often too late and may expose cloves to frost, hurting growth.

2. Soil Requirements for Garlic

   Which soil property is most important for optimal garlic growth and healthy bulb formation?

   1. Well-drained soil
   2. Acidic pH below 5.0
   3. Waterlogged conditions
   4. High clay content

   Explanation: Garlic needs well-drained soil to prevent root rot and bulb disease. High clay content and waterlogged conditions can retain excess moisture, promoting fungal problems. A very acidic pH below 5.0 is unsuitable, as garlic prefers slightly acidic to neutral soils.

3. Fertilizer Preference in Garlic

   Which nutrient is especially important to garlic during its early growth stage for vigorous leaf development?

   1. Potassium
   2. Nitrogen
   3. Calcium
   4. Boron

   Explanation: Nitrogen supports leafy growth, crucial in the early growing period. Potassium is helpful for overall plant health but not as primary for initial green growth. Calcium and boron are important micronutrients, but not the main driver for vegetative development in garlic.

4. Planting Material Selection

   For best yield and healthy plants, which material should be used to start a new garlic crop?

   1. Whole garlic bulbs
   2. Garlic leaves
   3. Garlic seeds
   4. Healthy, disease-free cloves

   Explanation: Healthy, disease-free cloves ensure robust plants and reduce disease risks. Planting whole bulbs is wasteful and not standard practice. Leaves cannot develop into bulbs, and true garlic seeds are rarely used as most cultivated varieties are propagated by cloves.

5. Garlic Harvest Timing

   What is the recommended visual indicator that garlic is ready for harvest?

   1. Flower stalks have formed
   2. Lower leaves start to turn yellow and dry
   3. New green shoots appear
   4. Bulbs are visible above the soil

   Explanation: Harvesting at the stage where lower leaves dry ensures the bulbs are mature but not overripe. Green shoots indicate ongoing vegetative growth, while flower stalks (scapes) are sometimes removed earlier. Bulbs visible above soil often means late or improper planting rather than harvest readiness.