Habitat
Garlic is thought to have originally come from
parts of Central Asia.
Ancient documentation suggests that it has been a crop in China,
India, and Egypt since 1600 BC. Although currently China is easily
the largest producer of garlic in the world, which is illustrated in
the graph at the bottom of the page[11].Despite wide genetic variation this
history is supported by phylogenetic analysis based on molecular and
biochemical markers. Currently garlic is grown all over the world.
Although most popular in Latin America, China, and the Mediterranean,
it can be found anywhere from the equator to latitudes of 50° in both hemispheres.
As
far as the growth ecology of garlic, it is possible to grow in the
tropical highlands and is
restricted in the lowlands to the cool season. In addition, garlic prefers a
light loamy soil and strongly dislikes soil acidity. It requires a
soil pH of 6–7 or somewhat higher and is sensitive to aluminum
toxicity.[6]
Top 10 garlic
producers in 2010 |
||
Country |
Production (tonnes) |
Footnote |
13,664,069 |
Im |
|
833,970 |
||
271,560 |
||
244,626 |
||
213,480 |
||
185,900 |
Im |
|
180,300 |
Im |
|
169,510 |
||
164,392 |
||
157,400 |
||
World |
17,674,893 |
A |
* = Unofficial
figure | [ ] = Official data | A =
May include official, semi-official
or estimated data Source: UN Food & Agriculture Organisation (FAO) |