Onion ( Allium cepa L.) Seedling Quality Parameters as Affected by Soil and Seed Treatment at Adami Tulu, Mid Rift Valley of Ethiopia

Abstract

The integrated effects of soil and seed treatment on onion (Allium cepa L.) were investigated at Adami Tulu mid rift valley of Ethiopia during hot warm season (March, April and May) 2015. Leaf number, seedlings length, weed abundance, percentage of strong and weak seedling were tested for their response. Accordingly interaction effect of seed and soil treatment affected percentage of strong and weak seedling significantly at (P < 0.01). The main effect of seed treatment was found non-significantly affected all seedling quality parameters except seedling length whereas the main effect of soil treatment affected seedling length, and leaf number at (P < 0.05) weed abundance, percentage of strong and weak seedling at (P < 0.01). The maximum percentage of strong seedling was attained while solarization combined with treated seed (seed treated with apron star) (85%) followed by treated seed with burning (77.4%) and untreated seed with solarization (77.4%). The interaction of burning and untreated seed (4) was found to maximize leaf number followed by combined effect of burning and treated seed (4). Mean weed abundance reduced from 65.9% and 41.7% when soil is treated with solarization and burning as compared to control plot, respectively. In general increased quality of onion seedling was achieved due to combined application of soil solarization and seed treated with apron star. Therefore, combined treatment of soil solarization and seed treatment with apron star is recommended for onion nursery establishment at Adami Tulu mid rift valley of Ethiopia.