EVALUACIÓN DE DOS ALTERNATIVAS DE MANEJO DE MALEZAS EN EL CULTIVO DE AJO EN TRANSICIÓN AGROECOLÓGICA

Abstract

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is a species with high nutraceutical values, also used in natural pest control preparations. It has the difficulty of its low competitive ability, because it demands a lot of energy for the control of associated weeds. Two weed management alternatives, accessible in family farming to minimise labour costs in this activity, were evaluated in the Campo Escuela of the FCA-UNC, using bulbs of three cultivars (Serrano, Pampeano and Alpa Suquía), agroecologically produced in the Germplasm Bank of the Institution. Plots of 4 m2 were planted, with 3 replicates in each treatment. A control with weed control, manual soil removal and another design with mulching with dry grasses in the inter-row spaces. The number of tillage operations required to maintain low weed incidence, the labour time required and the garlic yield at the end of the cycle were evaluated. The mulching treatment required significantly less time (47 %) for weed control than the control over the whole cycle. Yields were significantly higher (p< 0.05) with mulch around them. It is feasible to change the crop design, adding a component to the system that provides different ecosystem services already proven, reducing the investment in labour time and increasing its biological productivity.