Planting distance and tuber size affected the productivity of Lansuna local variety of red onion (Allium ascolonicum L.)

Abstract

Shallot Lansuna local variety is trendy among farmers in Minahasa Regency because it adaptable to all seasons. This study aimed to evaluate planting distance and tuber size on the productivity of local variety onion of Lansuna. It was conducted from April to November 2017 in the Tonsewer Village, Minahasa Regency, using randomized design factorial groups with three replications. The first factor was planting distances of 20 cm x 20 cm and 20 cm x 25 cm, and the second factor was the size of tubers (large, medium and small). Thus, there were six treatment combinations. The results showed that the planting distances and tuber sizes did not significantly affect the agronomic components (plant height, number of leaves, and number of tubers) and production components (gross weight and net weight). However, the planting distance of 20 cm x 20 cm in combination with larger tuber seeds had the highest yield (26.17 t ha−1) followed by medium tuber seeds (15.79 t ha−1) and small tuber seeds (12.42 t ha−1). The study suggests that Shallot local variety Lansuna should be cultivated using 20 cm x 20 cm spacing distance and larger tuber seeds whenever possible.