Do you know? India is the second-largest producer of garlic in the world, with major cultivation in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. The success of garlic farming depends on selecting the right variety that offers high yield, resistance to diseases, and adaptability to climatic conditions. Different garlic varieties vary in bulb size, clove number, pungency, shelf life, and suitability for local and export markets.
This article highlights more than 10 top garlic varieties in India, their key features, regions of cultivation, and uses.
1. Yamuna Safed (G-1)
Yamuna Safed (G-1) is one of the most popular garlic varieties in India, developed by the National Horticultural Research and Development Foundation (NHRDF).
- Bulb Size: Medium to large
- Cloves per Bulb: 15–20
- Pungency: Mild to medium
- Regions: Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh
- Characteristics:
- High yield with uniform bulb size
- Excellent shelf life, ideal for storage
- Suitable for both irrigated and rainfed conditions
- Uses: Domestic markets, culinary purposes
2. Yamuna Safed-2 (G-50)
Yamuna Safed-2 (G-50) is a high-yielding variety known for its large bulbs and white cloves.
- Bulb Size: Large
- Cloves per Bulb: 15–20
- Pungency: Medium
- Regions: Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu
- Characteristics:
- Tolerant to major garlic diseases
- Long shelf life with uniform white cloves
- Uses: Culinary purposes, pickling, export markets
3. Yamuna Safed-3 (G-282)
Yamuna Safed-3 is widely grown for its high productivity and compact bulbs.
- Bulb Size: Medium
- Cloves per Bulb: 20–25
- Pungency: High
- Regions: Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan
- Characteristics:
- Resistant to stemphylium blight and purple blotch
- Good storage ability
- Uses: Fresh markets, spice industry
4. Yamuna Safed-4 (G-323)
Yamuna Safed-4 is a versatile garlic variety developed for high yield and disease resistance.
- Bulb Size: Medium to large
- Cloves per Bulb: 16–22
- Pungency: Medium
- Regions: Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan
- Characteristics:
- High yield potential and uniform bulbs
- Resistant to pests and diseases
- Uses: Culinary, processing industries
5. Agrifound White
Agrifound White is a high-yielding garlic variety with large bulbs and white cloves, ideal for commercial cultivation.
- Bulb Size: Large
- Cloves per Bulb: 20–25
- Pungency: Medium
- Regions: Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan
- Characteristics:
- Tolerant to common diseases
- Long storage life
- Uses: Export markets, culinary use
6. Agrifound Parvati
Agrifound Parvati is a short-duration variety suitable for early harvesting and high productivity.
- Bulb Size: Medium
- Cloves per Bulb: 18–22
- Pungency: High
- Regions: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu
- Characteristics:
- Early maturity (100–120 days)
- Good for fresh consumption and pickling
- Uses: Fresh markets, spice production
7. Godavari
Godavari garlic is known for its large bulbs and high pungency, making it ideal for spice industries.
- Bulb Size: Large
- Cloves per Bulb: 15–18
- Pungency: High
- Regions: Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu
- Characteristics:
- High productivity and consistent bulb quality
- Preferred for commercial cultivation
- Uses: Spice and processing industries
8. Ooty-1
Ooty-1 is a variety developed for hill regions, particularly in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
- Bulb Size: Small to medium
- Cloves per Bulb: 12–16
- Pungency: Medium
- Regions: Tamil Nadu, Kerala
- Characteristics:
- Ideal for cool climates and hill cultivation
- Early maturing with good yield
- Uses: Local markets, culinary use
9. Bhima Omkar
Bhima Omkar is a recently developed variety with high resistance to diseases and good yield potential.
- Bulb Size: Medium
- Cloves per Bulb: 16–20
- Pungency: Medium to high
- Regions: Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu
- Characteristics:
- Resistant to purple blotch and pests
- Uniform bulb size with excellent shelf life
- Uses: Fresh markets, spice industries
10. G-41
G-41 is a variety known for its high yield and adaptability to diverse climatic conditions.
- Bulb Size: Medium to large
- Cloves per Bulb: 15–20
- Pungency: Medium
- Regions: Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan
- Characteristics:
- Early maturing with consistent productivity
- Suitable for both rainfed and irrigated conditions
- Uses: Domestic markets, culinary use
FAQs
Q1: Which garlic variety has the largest bulbs?
A: Yamuna Safed-2 (G-50) and Godavari produce large-sized garlic bulbs.
Q2: Which garlic variety is best for export?
A: Agrifound White and Yamuna Safed-2 (G-50) are preferred for export due to their large bulbs and long shelf life.
Q3: Which garlic variety is ideal for disease resistance?
A: Yamuna Safed-3 (G-282), Bhima Omkar, and Agrifound Parvati have strong resistance to common diseases like purple blotch and blight.
Q4: What is the best garlic variety for hill regions?
A: Ooty-1 is specifically developed for cool and hilly regions.
Q5: Which state is the largest producer of garlic in India?
A: Madhya Pradesh is the largest producer of garlic, followed by Gujarat and Rajasthan.
Conclusion
India’s garlic farming has been revolutionized with the development of high-yielding, disease-resistant, and region-specific varieties like Yamuna Safed, Agrifound White, Godavari, and Bhima Omkar. By selecting the right garlic variety based on local conditions and market requirements, farmers can maximize productivity, ensure profitability, and meet the growing demand for garlic in domestic and international markets.
