Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is an important food and cash crop for rural households in Shaka Zone. Despite the nutritional and economic significance of garlic, to date there are no any research efforts pertain to recommend adaptable cultivars with due consideration of the environmental condition of the zone. The aim of this study was to evaluate eight garlic genotypes using agro-morphological and nutritional quality traits for cultivation in the zone. The results revealed that there were significant differences among genotypes for traits of plant height, pseudo stem diameter, leaf number, leaf width, bulb diameter, bulb length, clove number, bulb weight and bulb yield/ha. Among tested genotypes, farmer’s variety had significantly (P<0.01) highest yield, Masha local check with yield (4.60 t/ha) at Masha site and Yeki local check with yield (6.61 t/ha) at Yeki site. In Aderacha district the released variety Bishofitu with yield (3.29 t/ha) showed significantly highest yield. Garlic genotypes were also assessed for some nutritional quality composition (dry matter, ash, total sulfur, crude protein, crude fat and crude fiber content), and significant variability among genotypes were observe, yet farmer’s varieties showed better result in most quality parameters. Considering their most desirable traits it can be concluded that Masha local and Yeki local varieties were observed to be superior to released varieties in yield and quality so far farmers are recommended to continue cultivation of these varieties in the area. Likewise, this result could be used as good information for the future garlic variety development program in national level.

Keywords: Garlic, Local Variety, Released Variety, Yield, Quality