RESUMO
The aim of this work was to study the physiological mechanisms of dormancy and sprouting during post-harvest of garlic (Allium sativum L.) microbulblets produced by meristem culture of garlic seed cloves. The morphological changes occurring in garlic microbulblets were assessed from harvest till sprouting in relation with peroxidase activity and levels of gibberellins. Also the effect of a cold treatment (30 days at 4 degrees C) given 30 days after harvest was studied. The results showed that during the state of dormancy in garlic microbulblets formation of the leaf primordia and vascular differentiation of the storage leaf occurred, while increases of peroxidase activity and low levels of GA3 (the only active gibberellin identified) were found. At the end of dormancy the sprouting channel was formed, vascular differentiation established, and peaks of soluble peroxidase activity as well as of GA3 were observed. At day 90 post-harvest, garlic microbulblets showed physiologically mature and able to sprout. Further on, bud expansion and decrease of GA3 levels characterized sprouting of the microbulblets. The cold treatment enhanced GA3 levels and anticipated the sprouting process.