AGRONOMIC AND QUALITATIVE PERFORMANCE OF DENSELY CULTIVATED ONION CULTIVARS AS AFFECTED BY POTASSIUM FERTILISATION

Francisco Das Chagas Gonçalves,Gerlani Alves Da Silva,Priscila Maylana Modesto De Jesus,Leilson Costa Grangeiro,Valdívia De Fátima Lima De Sousa

doi:10.1590/1983-21252019v32n404rc

Francisco Das Chagas Gonçalves, Gerlani Alves Da Silva + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-21252019v32n404rc

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Journal: Revista Caatinga	Publication Date: Dec 1, 2019
Citations: 6	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido

Abstract

ABSTRACT The increase in plant density, combined with the use of hybrids in onion cultivation, has provided significant gains in yield, with a direct impact on the amount of absorbed macronutrients. The present work aimed to evaluate the yield and quality of two onion cultivars under a densified system as a function of potassium doses supplied via fertirrigation. A randomized complete block design was used in a 2 x 7 factorial scheme with four replications. The treatments consisted of two cultivars (IPA 11 and Rio das Antas) and seven potassium doses (0, 70, 140, 210, 280, 350 and 420 kg ha-1 K2O), provided by fertigation. The potassium doses that provided maximum total and commercial yields were 215 and 216 kg ha-1 of K2O, respectively. The soluble solids and the percentage of bulbs of classes 2, 3 and 4 were not influenced by potassium fertilization. There was a reduction in the percentage of non-commercial bulbs with the increase of potassium doses. The dose with maximum economical efficiency was 210.6 kg ha-1 of K2O, responsible for a commercial yield of 61.8 t ha-1.

Highlights

The yield and quality of onion bulbs are associated with genetic, climatic and phytotechnical factors
This study aimed to evaluate whether the yield and quality of two onion cultivars under a dense planting system improved as a function of K doses supplied through fertigation
Treatments consisted of the combination of two onion cultivars (‘Rio das Antas’ and ‘IPA 11’) and seven doses of K (0, 70, 140, 210, 280, 350 and 420 kg ha-1 of K2O)

Summary

Introduction

The yield and quality of onion bulbs are associated with genetic, climatic and phytotechnical factors. Increased plant density, combined with the use of hybrids in onion cultivation, has promoted significant gains in the yield of this crop, with direct impact on the quantity of macronutrients absorbed. Regardless of the soil class in which it is cultivated, potassium (K) is the nutrient extracted in greatest quantity by the onion plant (VIDIGAL et al 2010; MORAES et al 2016; BACKES et al 2018). The increments promoted by this nutrient are due to the range of functions performed, such as participation in the activation of various enzymes, vital role in the synthesis of carbohydrates and proteins, improvement in the water regime of plants and, increase in their tolerance to drought, frost and salinity (MAATHUIS, 2009). The observed variations are due to the genetic material, K levels in soil, the forms and moment of nutrient application, besides plant density

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