Effect of Spacing in Incidence and Severity of Garlic Rust (Puccinia Allii (Rudolphi.) and Bulb Yield and Related Traits of Garlic at Eastern Ethiopia

Garlic rust is caused by Puccinia allii (Rudolphi) extremely hinder the productivity of Alliaceae species, especially garlic (Allium sativum). The disease has been found wherever garlics are cultivated and at present no system of control has been found that fully prevents the occurrence of the disease. A field experiment was conducted to determine the optimum planting density for abating garlic rust in order to maximize yield of garlic. The experiment was laid out in RCBD with three replications, garlic local cultivar (Chiro) and three levels of intra-row spacing (10 cm, 15 cm and 20 cm) were included in the study. Disease incidence and severity, plant height, Bulb yield, bulb diameter, Days to maturity, Plant height, Total yield (t/ha), Bulb weight (gm), Bulb diameter, Number of cloves per bulb and Clove weight were analyzed using SAS software. The result of the study revealed that the spacing was varied significantly in disease incidence and severity and in aforementioned agronomic data. The maximum yield was observed from plot planted with 10 cm intra row spacing where was the minimum value of yield was recorded at plot planted with 20 intra row spacing. The results explained that increasing intra-row spacings from 10 to 20 cm decreased significantly (P 0.05) in disease incidence and severity simultaneously increased yield of garlic. Based on the results obtained, it could be concluded that spacing 10cmx30cm is optimal for better production of garlic under disease conditions.