Influence of transplanting dates and population densities on the growth and yield of onion

Muhammad Ali

doi:10.19045/bspab.2016.50045

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out to study the “Influence of transplanting dates and population densities on the growth and yield of onion” was carried out at Dargai with collaboration of Agriculture Extension Department, Dargai Malakand Division, Pakistan. The experiment was designed as Randomizes Complete Block Design (RCBD) as Split plot arrangement having two factors, transplanting dates and row spacing. Transplanting dates (15 th December, 31 st December and 15 th January) were in the main plots while row spacing (15, 20, 25 and 30 cm) were in sub plots replicated three times. Recommended dose of NPK (120: 90: 60) kg ha -1 were applied. Swat-I variety of onion was grown. The data on number of leaves plant -1 , plant height (cm), leaf width (cm), bulb diameter (cm), average bulb weight (g), number of bubs kg -1 and total yield t ha -1 were recorded. Significant variations were recorded for transplanting dates and different row spacing for all the parameters studied. The mean data showed that plants with transplanting date of 15 th December resulted best in all the parameters, i.e. maximum number of leaves plant -1 (9.94), plant height (47.58 cm), leaf width (1.42 cm), bulb diameter (6.06 cm), average bulb weight (79.70 g) and yield (28.64 t ha -1 ). Among row spacing, the maximum row spacing (30 cm) produced the maximum number of leaves plant -1 (10.18), plant height (47.00 cm), leaf width (1.41 cm), bulb diameter (6.58 cm) and average bulb weight (91.59 g). Maximum number of bulbs (18.22 kg -1 ) was recorded at plants with row spacing of (15 cm). However, plants with row spacing (20 cm) produced a maximum yield (29.29 t ha -1 ). It is concluded from the experimental study that best yield was observed at row spacing 20 cm with a transplanting date of 15 th

Highlights

Onion botanically called as Allium cepa (Latin), is a bulbous crop belongs to Amaryllidaceae family
The aim of this study was to find out the influence of transplanting dates and different row spacing on the growth and yield of Onion
In case of transplanting dates, significantly maximum number of leaves (9.94) were recorded in 15th December transplantation, which was at par with 31st December transplantation (9.16) while the lowest number of leaves (6.80) was obtained from the seedlings transplanted on 15th January

Summary

Introduction

Onion botanically called as Allium cepa (Latin), is a bulbous crop belongs to Amaryllidaceae family It is commercially grown in different countries including Pakistan. An onion plant stores sugars in the bulb; this is swollen leaf base. Agronomic practices greatly influence onion production among which, planting time is one of the important factor that greatly affect the growth and yield of onion [5]. Proper spacing of onion crop may be a significant factor for economic and high bulb yield. Onion bulb yield increases because the leaf canopy intercepts a higher percentage of light [11]. The optimum use of spacing or plant population has dual advantages [12] It avoids strong competition between plants for growth factors such as nutrient, water and light. The given figures 1 and 2 showed the average rainfall and temperature of that experimental year (2011-2012) of dargai area

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Conclusion