Field performance and storage losses of onion (Allium cepa L.) under Coastal Saline Zone of West Bengal

Abstract

In West Bengal (India), onions are mainly cultivated during the Rabi season. The Coastal Saline Zone of West Bengal is a non-traditional onion growing belt. An experiment was conducted to study the production and storage performance of onion cultivars in this region with the broader aim of understanding the suitability of this region for commercial onion cultivation. Sixteen short-day onion cultivars were grown and assessed for their yield and storage performance during the Rabi season. Variation among the onion cultivars was noted for observed field and storage traits. Onion cultivars Agrifound Light Red, Bhima Shakti, Sukhsagar, NHRDF Red-2, Pusa white Flat, NHRDF Red-3, Bhima Kiran, and N-53 out yielded others. Average physiological loss in weight, rotting, sprouting and total loss was registered 33.6, 24.8, 1.3 and 59.7%, respectively, after 180 days of storage. Onion cultivars recorded 20.0 to 99.6% total losses after six months of storage. Cultivar Sukhsagar was found to be suitable for extended storage.