Horticultural Science and Technology 원예과학기술지 ISSN:1226-8763(Print) 2465-8588(Online)

This study aimed to determine the optimal disinfection method and temperature for germinating ‘Namdo’ garlic bulbils in order to use the garlic shoots as a new leafy vegetable. Two different disinfection methods utilizing either NaOCl or ultralviolet (UV) treatments were evaluated by measuring the germination rate of bulbils and the frequency of infection events. The NaOCl method involved treatments with NaOCl concentrations ranging from 0% to 4% for different periods from 15 up to 60 minutes, whereas under UV treatments only the irradiation time was varied. Germination rates of bulbils were assessed after soaking in 2.0% NaOCl and incubation at three different temperatures: 20, 25, or 30°C. Varying the bulbil soaking period did not result in different germination rates, however, it did reduce the infection frequency, with more extended soaking periods resulting in fewer infection events. Comparative analysis of all different parameter combinations revealed that the highest germination rate was observed when bulbils were incubated in 2.0% NaOCl for 45 min or in 3% of NaOCl for 30 min. Irradiation with UV light for 4 hours resulted in the highest germination rate among the irradiation durations, albeit the germination rate was reduced compared to the NaOCl-mediated disinfection method. Temperature was negatively correlated with germination rate, while more infection events observed at higher temperatures, with 20°C being the optimal temperature. We suggest incubation of ‘Namdo’ garlic bulbils in either 2.0 or 3.0% NaOCl solution with more than 30-min soaking time followed by incubation at 20°C to achieve the highest germination rate with low occurrence of infection events.