**11. Conclusion**

Horticulturists around the world look for answers from experimental stations to problems such as low yields, pests, diseases and quality defects. Similarly, garlic growers from Central Mexico have been in contact with institutions such as CAEPAB, PRODUCE-Ags and ITEL, in order to agree on agronomic and biotechnological research that may be applied to their fields. Original garlic genotypes from these growers and some other introduced to Mexico were the source for new cultivars and promissory genotypes developed by CAEPAB. Some of these that were analyzed showed a good correlation between bulb sizes and clove weight against bulb weight. It was also found that Mexican genotypes have a wide variety of on clove size and number that reflects a good genetic pool for breeding through individual selection for this seedless plant. Some other characteristics are qualitative that may have positive impact for worldwide market demands. For example, it was found for late cultivars the longest storage life.

Garlic biotechnology was also directed to characterize of Mexican cultivars. Molecular and cytogenetic characterizations for these cultivars may help to identify and to register, unambiguously, cultivated varieties. Molecular analysis such as AFLP´s or RAPDs is required in order to establish genetic uniqueness or relatedness. So far, only RAPDs have been performed but this kind of work is not concluded yet. Another biotechnological application is to produce *in vitro* pathogen-free vegetative material for massive propagation that may be released to growers. Protocorm and protocorm-like bodies were produced *in vitro* before they grew into bulbils and whole plant. Nevertheless, massive propagation of garlic has not been achieved as desired. Therefore, garlic biotechnology is going at slow pace. Finally, breeding through individual selection allowed releasing cultivars appropriate for national and international demands.

#### **12. Acknowledgements**

The authors would like to thank Consejo de Ajos de Aguascalientes A. C. (Refugio Lucio Castañeda, Gerardo Vargas Prieto, Otilio Torres Robles, and Narváes brothers) for the facilities provided (in their cultivation áreas) to carried out some research activities here showed.
