Evaluation of onion genotypes suitable for organic farming

Abstract

Organic farmers depend on varieties bred for conventional high-input farming systems. In north-western Europe, organic farmers are benefited from the improvements made by modern breeding activities. As organic farming refrains from high and chemical inputs, it needs reliable varieties better adapted to organic growing conditions to improve the yield stability and quality of crops. Thirty advance lines/ varieties of onion were screened to assess the suitability of cultivars under organic farming during late kharif at Kalus Farm of ICAR- Directorate of Onion and Garlic Research under short day conditions in comparison with in-organicconditions in respect of bulb yield and quality parameters. Based on two years mean data, maximum marketable yield was recorded in DOGR-1168 (47.59 t/ha) followed by EL- 1044 (45.44 t/ha) and DOGR-595 (45.35 t/ha) and these lines performed better under organic conditions. The performance of these lines under conventional in-organic trials were comparatively poor and recorded 42.51 t/ha, 40.55 t/ha and 43.49 t/ha marketable yield, respectively. These lines also recorded more than 85% marketable yield, more than 95 g average bulb weight, less than 6% doubles and less than 10% bolters and were found highly suitable for organic farming.