Abstract
The experiment was conducted at Melkassa center of the Ethiopian Institute of agricultural Research for two season to investigate the effect of different onion planting methods on growth parameters and canopy development of onion cultivars. The experiment consisted of three planting methods of onion, namely direct seeding to the field, transplanting of seedlings and planting sets, and three onion cultivars (Adama Red, Bombay Red and Nasik Red). The experimental design was split plot with three replications; cultivars were assigned to the main plot and planting methods to sub-plot. Data were collected at 55, 70, 85 and 100 days after planting. Leaf area index were significantly (P<0.05%) higher on sets and transplants at all dates of observation. The correlation analysis results show highly significant (P<0.001) association between plant height, leaf area, LAI and shoot fresh and dry weight, with correlation coefficient ranging between 0.89 and 0.99. This indicates that any one of these parameters can be used for yield estimator depending on the condition and the facilities available. Regression analysis of total yield on leaf area index showed stronger dependence at 85 days after planting than the other dates as observed by a higher value of coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.80). This study indicated that planting method has significant effect on the growth and performance of onion cultivars.
Highlights
Onion (Allium cepa L.) is one of the important horticultural crop in Ethiopia grown throughout the year both for local consumption and export
Onion dry bulb are commonly established in the field either by direct sowing of seeds to the field, or by transplanting seedlings from seedbed or from sets depending on the growing conditions of the specific locations
The experiment consisted of three factors; planting methods, onion cultivars (Adama red, Bombay red and Nasik red) and different growth periods (55, 75, 85 and 100 days after planting) in factorial split-split-plot design with three replications
Summary
Onion (Allium cepa L.) is one of the important horticultural crop in Ethiopia grown throughout the year both for local consumption and export. The. Advances in Applied Physiology 2018; 3(1): 8-13 proportion of the total incident light intercepted by leaves depends on Leaf Area Index (LAI). Large LAI promotes efficient utilization of the incident photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) and increase dry matter yield [3]. In onion high bulb yield was reported from cultivar that had large LAI and intercept high percentage of light by the leaf canopy [3]. Report in clover [6] indicated net photosynthetic rate of canopies increased linearly with leaf area index (LAI) up to an LAI of 3.5 and declined at higher LAI, independent of variety and sowing density. According to this report below the optimum LAI, net photosynthesis depended mainly on interception of PAR. An experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of different onion planting methods on growth parameters and canopy development of onion cultivars
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