Effect of transplanting dates, cultivars and zinc on yield and economics of onion in semi-arid conditions in Rajasthan

Abstract

Delayed transplanting and insufficient nutrient application are the major factors responsible for reducedonion yield. Proper planting time is critical for getting optimal bulb yield. Selection of right cultivar is one of themost important variables in getting higher growth and yield attributes for a particular agro-climatic condition. Anexperiment was conducted to determine the effect of transplanting date, cultivar and zinc application method onyield, yield attributes and economics of onion. Results were found to be significant for all the yield attributes,yield and economics of onion. Transplanting on 01st January significantly increased the average bulb weight(81.10 g), equatorial diameter (5.58 cm), polar diameter (4.52 cm), total bulb yield (387.42 q/ha), net return (Rs367963/ha) and B:C ratio (3.84) in a pooled analysis. Among the cultivars, significantly higher average bulbweight (79.37 g), equatorial diameter (5.48 cm), polar diameter (4.42 cm), total bulb yield (387.95 q/ha), net return(Rs 368680/ha) and B:C ratio (3.83) were recorded in Bhima Shakti. In zinc application methods, significantlyhigher average bulb weight (79.68 g), equatorial diameter (5.50 cm), polar diameter (4.42 cm), total bulb yield(386.67 q/ha), net return (Rs 364973/ha) and B:C ratio (3.78) were recorded with foliar spray of zinc sulphate @0.5 per cent at 30 & 45 DAT. The reduced neck thickness (0.70, 0.73 & 0.72 cm) was recorded on 01st Januarytransplanting, Bhima Shakti cultivar and foliar spray of zinc sulphate @ 0.5 per cent at 30 & 45 DAT, respectively.