ISSN : 1225-8504(Print)
ISSN : 2287-8165(Online)
ISSN : 2287-8165(Online)
Journal of the Korean Society of International Agriculture Vol.37 No.4 pp.382-387
DOI : https://doi.org/10.12719/KSIA.2025.37.4.382
DOI : https://doi.org/10.12719/KSIA.2025.37.4.382
Effects of Scape Harvest Timing and Postharvest Curing on Bulbil Maturity and Yield in the ‘Hongsan’ Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Cultivar
Abstract
This study aimed to identify the optimal timing for scape removal and postharvest curing methods to effectively utilize the bulbils of the garlic (Allium sativum L.) cultivar ‘Hongsan,’ which are usually discarded as by-products. Scapes were harvested five times from late May to mid-June in accordance with the bulb harvest schedule. The collected scapes underwent three curing treatments: natural drying, immersion in a solution containing 1% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and 30 g⋅L⁻¹ sucrose, and a commercial floral preservative solution with sucrose. Results showed that as the timing of scape removal was delayed, bulb weight decreased, while the number and maturity of bulbils increased. For optimal production of both bulbs and bulbils, removing scapes 15 days before the expected harvest date was the most effective approach. Among the curing treatments, natural drying yielded the highest number of large-sized bulbils and demonstrated superior labor efficiency. In contrast, the floral preservative treatment resulted in a greater proportion of immature bulbils, likely due to microbial growth in the solution that obstructed vascular tissues. Thus, for the simultaneous production of bulbs and mature bulbils in ‘Hongsan’ garlic, it is recommended to remove scapes 15 days prior to bulb harvest and to use natural drying as the most effective method.






