Abstract
Shebelle river basin along the Gode district is one of the most suitable areas for the production of dry bulb onion, which is an important cash crop for farmers in the study area. However, the productivity of the crop is low due to poor agronomic practices and managements. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted at Gode Polytechnic College demonstration farm in 2013 under irrigation to assess the effect of N fertilizer rates and intra-row spacing on bulb triats of onion (Allium cepa L.). The treatments were consisting six rates of N fertilizer (0, 46, 69, 92, 115, 138 kg ha-1) and four levels of intra-row spacing (7.5, 10, 12.5 and 15 cm). The experiment was designed in randomized complete block design with three replications. Results of the analysis revealed that the interaction effects of N rates and intra-row spacing showed highly significant (P<0.01) effect on bulb diameter and mean bulb weight parameters whereas the two factor show again a significant (p<0.01) independent effect on bulb length and bubl dry weight. The correlation analysis revealed that bulb length (cm) has a significant (p<0.05) positive correlation with bulb diameter parameter (r=0.24*), bulb weight (r=0.77**) and bulb dry weight (r=0.73**) and inversely correlated with that of nek thickness (r=-0.28*). Thus, It can be concluded that almost all bulb traits of onion can respond well at higher N rate (138kg N ha-1) combined with 15cm inra-row spacing under Gode condition.
Highlights
Onion (Allium cepa L.) is considered as one of the most important vegetable crops produced on large scale in Ethiopia and occupies economically important place among vegetables in the country [1]
Onion is grown primarily for its bulb which is used for flavoring the local stew, ‘wet’ which is considerably important in the daily diet, mostly used as seasonings or as vegetables in stews
According to the rating suggested by Landon [16], the N content (0.15%) and cation exchange capacity (CEC) (39.13) before planting was rated as low and high before planting respectively
Summary
Onion (Allium cepa L.) is considered as one of the most important vegetable crops produced on large scale in Ethiopia and occupies economically important place among vegetables in the country [1]. Onion is grown primarily for its bulb which is used for flavoring the local stew, ‘wet’ which is considerably important in the daily diet, mostly used as seasonings or as vegetables in stews. It is one of the richest sources of flavonoid in the human diet and flavonoid consumption has been associated with a reduced risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes. In addition it is known for anti-bacterial, antiviral, anti-allergenic and antil-inflammatory potential [3]
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