Sulfur fertilization enhances ajoene accumulation in hydroponically grown garlic

Ajoene is a sulfur-containing compound in garlic, which accounts for pharmaceutical quality.
The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of sulfur supply on the ajoene content of garlic and to evaluate the significance for crop quality.
Garlic plants were grown hydroponically in a growth chamber under artificial lighting for two months at air temperature of 25/21°C (light/dark), relative humidity of 75/90% (light/dark), a photosynthetic photon flux density of 450 μmol m^‑2 s^‑1, and a photoperiod of 12 h d^‑1. Sulfur was supplied as K₂SO₄ at 2.1, 4.1 and 8.2 mg L^‑1. No K₂SO₄ was added to the control treatment.
The fresh and dry biomass, as well as ajoene content was determined after harvest.
The significantly lowest ajoene content was observed in the control treatment as compared to sulfur treatments.
The present study showed that sulfur fertilization could be useful to improve phytomedicinal components in garlic plants.

XXX International Horticultural Congress IHC2018: II International Symposium on Soilless Culture and VIII International Symposium on Seed, Transplant and Stand Establishment of Horticultural Crops

M.T. Naznin, Y. Kitaya, H. Hirai, B.W. Alsanius

ajoene, phytomedicine, garlic, sulfur

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2020.1273.29