Microclimatic Change and Growth Status by Soil-covering Material in Organic Garlic Cultivation

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of soil covering materials such as rice bran, rice hull and saw dust on garlic growth through a field experiment in wintertime. Rice bran was the smallest in term of particle size, but it recorded the highest level of bulk density. The missing plant rate after winter season was relatively high, 59.3%, and that of soil covering materials stood at the low level of 10%. Other growth factors recorded the highest level during application of rice bran. In terms of chemical properties of soil-covering materials, rice bran recorded the highest level of 1.84, 2.34 and 0.16% in the content of N, P, and K, respectively. The subsoil temperature was higher by application of rice bran as compared to that of other materials which stood at the lowest temperature ($-9^{\circ}C$).