Bulb Diameter Research Articles

Organic manures effect on the bulb production of onion cultivars under semiarid condition

An experiment was carried out to investigate the “Organic manures effect on the bulb production of onion cultivars under semiarid condition”. The experimental design was Randomized Complete Block Design with split plot arrangement with three replications. The experiment was consisted of two factors i.e. the organic manures Farmyard manure (FYM), Poultry manure (PM), Spent mushroom compost (SMC), ½FYM + ½PM, ½FYM + ½SMC, ½PM + ½SMC and 1/3FYM + 1/3PM + 1/3SMC were subjected to main plot at the rate of 10 tons ha-1 and onion cultivars (Parachinar-Local, Swat-1 and Swat-Local) were maintained to the sub plot. The onion yield and bulb production was significantly affected by both of organic manures application and onion cultivars. The application of organic manure (poultry manure) significantly improved the plant height (79.3cm),bulb diameter (10.2cm), average bulb weight (93.4g) and total yield ha-1 (33.9tones), while more number of bulb kg-1(13.1) was noticed with control treatments. The organic manures alone and organic manures combination showed different variation in yield and bulb production of onion crop. In case of onion cultivars, Parachinar-Local cultivar increased significantly the plant height (69.5cm), bulb diameter (7.7cm), average bulb weight (88.1g) and total yield ha-1(27.4tones), whereas the Swat-Local cultivar gave more number of bulb kg-1(11.2). The interaction of organic manure (poultry manure) and onion cultivar (Parachinar-Local) also affected the yield of onion. In case of interaction the organic manure (poultry manure) @ 10 tons ha-1 with onion cultivar (Parachinar-Local) suited for the yield of onion crop. From results it is concluded that the onion cultivar (Parachinar-Local) received organic manure (poultry manure) @ 10 tons ha-1showed best result in bulb yield at semi-arid condition. Keywords: FYM; Onion; PM; Parachinar local; Swat 1; Swat Local; SMC http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2018.700135

Comparison of Different Garlic (Allium sativum) Varieties for Yield and Yield Components Grown at Agriculture Research Station, Buner

Different Garlic varieties i.e. (Garlic-1, Swat White, NARC-1 and Buner Local) were tested for Yield and Yield Components†at Agriculture Research Station, Buner during the year 2018. The results showed significant difference in the major parameters. The mean maximum bulb diameter (56.0 mm) and maximum Yield (8.6ton ha-1) was recorded in the variety Buner Local while the mean minimum Bulb diameter (51.8mm), number of cloves bulb-1 (5.2) and minimum yield (1.7ton ha-1) was noted in NARC-1. NARC-1 was prominent in stem diameter (13.5), single clove weight (13.6) and bulb weight (73.0) but could not beat Buner local in unit yield. The mean minimum bulb weight (58.0g) and single clove weight (4.5g) was recorded in variety Swat White and Garlic-1 respectively. Based on results, it is concluded that Buner Local expressed the best results in yield and yield components as compared to other Garlic varieties, and therefore recommended for general cultivation in Buner environment.

The influence of the degree of saturation on compaction-grouted soil nails in sand

A series of large-scale model tests was conducted on compaction-grouted soil nails to study the influence of the degree of saturation on the soil response to compaction grouting and pull-out. The experimental results show that the initial degree of saturation of the soil strongly influences the grout injectability, thus the formed diameter of grout bulb. Subsequently, the diameter of the grout bulb alters the pull-out force, with larger grout bulbs generating higher pull-out forces and exhibiting greater hardening behaviour. Interestingly, the initial pull-out forces are the same for the same grouting pressure, regardless of the initial degree of saturation and the subsequently grout bulb. In addition, some of the main factors influencing the pressure grouting and pull-out of the soil nail, as the initial degree of saturation varies, are as follows. First, the variations in the soil pressure and density with the initial degree of saturation are similar to that of the volume of grout injected, and the compression of the soil induced by pressure grouting exhibits a similar evolution with the initial degree of saturation at different locations. Second, the initial degree of saturation of the soil sample plays a dominant role in the change in suction during pressure grouting and pull-out of soil nail. Third, the horizontal soil pressure derived from the pull-out of soil nail propagates closely in the soil sample of lower initial degree of saturation. The vertical soil pressure induced by the vertical soil dilation and squeezing effect varies in accidence with the initial degree of saturation and the grout bulb.

EFFECT OF PLANT DENSITY ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF TWO GARLIC CULTIVARS UNDER SOHAG CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

One field experiment was carried out during the two successive winter seasons of 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 at a Private Farm at Sohag Governorate, tostudythe effect of two cultivars (Balady and Sids 40) and three plant densities (one, two and three rows in ridge) on growth, yield and bulb quality of garlic, these treatments were arranged in a split plot design with three replicates, garlic cultivars were arranged in the main plot, while plant densities were arranged in the sub plot. The obtained results could be summarized as follows: The interaction between Balady cultivar and planting in one row/ ridge recorded the tallest plants in both seasons. The percentages of dry matter of both leaves/plant and bulb, both bulb diameter and weight as well as clove weight were the highest with the interaction between Sids 40 and planting in one row/ ridge in both seasons. While, the highest total fresh (15.96 and 14.03 ton/fed.) and cured yield (10.02 and 8.80 ton/fed.) were obtained with the interaction between Sids 40 cultivar and planting in three rows/ ridge in the 1st and 2nd seasons, respectively, this treatment recorded relative increases in total fresh yield /fed. were about 56.31 and 58.89 % and total cured yield /fed were about 40.33 and 43.08 % over the interaction between Balady cultivar and planting in one row/ ridge. in the 1st and 2nd seasons, respectively. Conclusively, under the conditions of this study, cultivated garlic cv Sids 40 in three rows / ridge for the best interaction treatment for increasing the productivity of garlic yield under Sohag climatic conditions.

Correlation analysis of bulb yield with growth and yield components of garlic (Allium sativum L.)

Two experiments were conducted under irrigation at the Institute for Agricultural Research (I.A.R) Kadawa in the Sudan Savanna zone of Nigeria during 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 (Nov- Mar) dry seasons to study the relationship among growth, yield components and bulb yield of garlic (ex- Kofa var). Growth parameters studied included plant height, number of leaves, total dry matter, crop growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate (RGR) while the yield parameters studied included fresh bulb weight, cured bulb weight, bulb diameter, number of cloves/bulb, weight of cloves and cured bulb yield (kg/ha). Results obtained showed a significant and positive correlation between total bulb yield per hectare and growth as well as the other yield characters except RGR in 2007/2008 trial and CGR as well as the number of cloves in 2008/2009 trial. However, for the combined analysis, CGR, RGR and number of cloves were found not have positive correlation with the bulb yield. These characters should therefore, not be aimed at if the aim is to increase/ improve yielding ability of garlicKey Words: Correlation, Kadawa, Sudan Savanna, Garlic, Irrigation, growth and yield components.

Response of Onion (Allium cepa L.) to nitrogen fertilizer rates and spacing under rain fed condition at Tahtay Koraro, Ethiopia

Onion is important in the daily Ethiopian diet though the average yield obtained by farmers is very low. This is attributed to a number of constraints among which are poor agronomic practices. Therefore, field experiment was conducted at Tahtay Koraro district to study the effect of nitrogen fertilizer and intra-row spacing on growth and yield of onion. The treatments consisted of a factorial combination of four rates of nitrogen (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg N ha−1) and four intra- row spacings (4, 6, 8, and 10 cm). Bombay Red was the variety of onion used in the experiment. The experiment was laid out as RCBD with three replications. The analysis of variance revealed that N and intra-row spacing were significant. Both N and intra-row spacing significantly affected percentage of Bolting plants, leaf length, bulb diameter, and marketable yield. 100 kg N ha−1 and a population of 833,300 plants ha−1 was found to be the optimum rate to obtain higher marketable bulb yield of 26.72 t ha−1 and economically attractive benefits. Therefore, Bombay red variety could be planted at an optimum spacing of 6 cm × 20 cm or 833,300 plant population density ha−1 in Tahtay koraro district of northern Ethiopia.

Tolerância da cebola implantada por semeadura direta ao flumioxazin aplicado em pós-emergência inicial

O manejo de plantas daninhas na cultura da cebola é prática fundamental para reduzir ou eliminar a interferência de plantas infestantes, uma vez que a cultura, especialmente em sistema de semeadura direta, apresenta crescimento inicial lento e baixa capacidade competitiva. Nesse sentido, para a correta utilização dos herbicidas é necessário conhecer os efeitos proporcionados pelas doses na cultura da cebola bem como quantificar este efeito para os diferentes estádios fenológicos. Diante do exposto, objetivou-se avaliar a tolerância da cebola, em sistema de semeadura direta, ao flumioxazin aplicado em pós-emergência em diferentes estádios fenológicos. O experimento foi instalado no delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições em arranjo fatorial 4 × 5 + 1, sendo o primeiro fator constituído das doses de flumioxazin (2,5; 5,0; 7,5 e 10 g ha-1) o segundo dos estádios fenológicos em que as aplicações foram realizadas (chicote, 1ª folha verdadeira, 2ª folha verdadeira, 3ª folha verdadeira e 4ª folha verdadeira.), além do tratamento adicional (controle sem aplicação). Foram avaliadas a altura das folhas, matéria seca da parte aérea, diâmetro e peso de bulbos. A aplicação do flumioxazin em pós-emergência da cebola reduziu todas as variáveis avaliadas, quando realizada até o estádio de 2ª folha verdadeira. Os efeitos negativos foram maiores com o incremento da dose do herbicida nos estádios iniciais de crescimento da cebola. Por outro lado, o flumioxazin aplicado a partir da 3ª folha verdadeira, independente da dose, não afetou nenhum dos parâmetros analisados. Após a emissão da terceira folha verdadeira a cebola apresentou tolerância ao flumioxazin.

Onion Crop Response to Regulated Deficit Irrigation under Mulching in Dry Mediterranean Region

Abstract Enhancing water productivity for sustainable crop production and water savings represents a major challenge for agricultural water management. Pot experiments under open field conditions were conducted for two years, 2016 and 2017, to assess the effects of regulated deficit irrigation under mulch on onion crop production, following a 2 × 3 factorial experiment with two soil cover systems (wheat straw mulch and no-mulch) and three irrigation levels (100%, 80%, and 60% of crop evapotranspiration), with six replications.The results indicated that onion plants were responsive to straw mulching. Bulb diameter, total yield, dry matter, and water productivity were significantly enhanced under mulch whatever the irrigation level used. The seasonal crop water requirements also considerably decreased (about 33%). The results also showed the sensitivity of onion to water stress. Yield, dry matter, and water productivity were higher under full irrigation compared to the deficit irrigation. However, when mulch was used, regulated deficit irrigation highly significantly improved water productivity and onion crop quality and quantity; and this approach could be a promising management practice to meet water shortage consequences in the dry Mediterranean region.

Effect of year, location, compost, and mixed oilseed cake on bulb and scale characteristic, nutrients and organic compounds in bulb and leaf, and storage quality in organic bulb onion

ABSTRACTThis study aimed to evaluate the effect of years and different locations, beef cattle manure compost (BCMC) and mixed oilseed cake (MOC) application rates on bulb and scale characteristics, nutrient content and nutrient uptake in bulb and leaf, and storage quality of intermediate-day onions (Allium cepa L.) at two organic onion growers' fields during the 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 growing seasons. Treatments included BCMC applied at rates of 0, 30 ton·ha-1 and MOC applied at rates of 0, 3, 6, 9 t·ha-1. Average temperature at two experimental locations during the growing season in 2013/2014 was 1.2°C higher than in 2012/2013, while total rainfall was 206.6 mm higher in 2012/2013 than in 2013/2014. Onion bulb diameter, bulb fresh weight, scale thickness and fresh leaf weight were significantly greater in 2013 than in 2014, but bulb dry matter was greater in 2014 than in 2013. Nitrogen, potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) contents and uptakes in bulb were significantly higher in 2013/2014 than in 2012/2013. BCMC application at 30 t·ha-1 rate increased K and Mg contents in bulb and leaf as compared with no BCMC. Total soluble solids (TSSs), pyruvic acid (PA), total phenolics (TPs) and total flavonoids (TFs) contents were higher in 2013/2014 than in 2012/2013. BCMC application at 3 t·ha-1 decreased TSSs and PA content compared with no BCMC. MOC application increased PA content. Rot and weight loss on 8 September in cold room storage were lower in 2013/2014 than in 2012/2013, but the loss on 14 October and 10 December were not significantly different between two years. In conclusion, high air temperature and low rainfall in Mar. and Apr. increased fresh bulb weight and bulb thickness, while high temperature, low rainfall and long sunshine duration increased TSSs, PA, TPs and TFs contents. Compost and oilseed cake application increased fresh bulb weight, scale thickness, while they decreased TSSs and did not affect organic compounds.

Pertumbuhan Dan Produksi Genotipe Bawang Merah (Allium ascalonicum L.) Lokal Samosir Generasi Ke Enam (M1V6) Hasil Iradiasi Sinar Gamma di Dataran Tinggi Samosir

The objective of this research was to identify the growth and yield of sixth-generation (M1V6) of local Samosir shallot, irradiated by gamma. The research was conducted at Rianiate village, Pangururan Samosir district at altitude ± 1164 meters above sea level, which began from July up to October 2016. This study used an augmented design with 8 levels of irradiated dosage (0; 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 8) Gy. The observes parameters were plant length, number of leaves, number of tillers, bulb number, bulb diameter, bulb fresh weight, and bulb dry weight after twice harvesting. The study result showed that population as a result of dosage irradiation at 5 Gy were significant difference compared to control plant populations with a lower mean value for the plant length, the number of leaves, the number of tillers and fresh weight while on tuber diameter, population of dosage irradiation 8 Gy were significant difference compared to the control population.

English

Garlic (Allium sativm L.) is the most widely used crop among cultivated Allium species in Ethiopia and it has a wide range of climatic and soil adaptation. Production of the crop is confronted with a number of problems and the total production and productivity in the country is low. Among many contributing factors, lack of improved varieties and garlic rust are the major ones. In view of this, an experiment was carried out to screen garlic germplasm for yield and diseases tolerance at Debre Markos University College of Agriculture and Natural Resource research field during 2013/14-2016/2017. The experiment was arranged in randomized complete block design with three replications. The result of the study showed high heritability together with high and medium genetic advance for days to physiological maturity, bulb weight, clove number, clove weight and total bulb yield between germplasms and significant variation among the germplasms tested with regard to plant height (cm), leaf length, (cm), maturity date, leaf number, bulb weight (g), clove number, clove weight (g), bulb diameter (cm) and total bulb yield (kg/ha). Different germplasms resulted in better performance with respect to recorded parameters. Germplasms 5 and 18 were found to be superior followed by germplasms 13 and 38. In addition, they recorded maximum plant height, leaf length, bulb weight, clove weight, bulb diameter, total yield, shorter maturity date and moderately susceptibility to rust. The result generally indicated that germplasms G5 (7640 kg), G18 (6929 kg), G38 (4626 kg) and G13 (4601 kg) are promising germplasm in the study area. It will be good to repeat the experiment at multi locations for National Variety Trail test. Key words: Garlic, germplasm, growth, yield.

Nitrogen Level and Irrigation Interval on Mitigating Stemphylium Blight and Downy Mildew in Onion

Field trial was conducted on horticultural farm of Lamjung Agriculture Campus, Lamjung, Nepal between December-April 2016/17 on onion (Allium cepa), following two factorial Randomized Block Design with three replications and fifteen treatments to assess disease severity of Stemphylium blight (Stemphylium vesicarium) and Downy mildew (Peronospora destructor). The onion cultivar Red Creole, widely grown in this locality and susceptible to these diseases was used for trial. The disease intensity for Stemphylium leaf blight and Downy mildew was rated on weekly basis. Disease severity of both the disease significantly varied with nitrogen level and irrigation interval during initial and middle growth stage of onion, but in contrary, was found non-significant during later days as the plant approached harvesting stage. Area under Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC) also significantly varied in both treatments for both disease. Yield parameters recorded viz. bulb diameter and bulb yield significantly varied with nitrogen level and irrigation interval. The interaction effect of both the treatment was found non-significant for disease severity, AUDPC level and yield parameters during entire growth stage of onion. The results indicated that 7 days irrigation interval and government recommended dose of nitrogen i.e. 235 kg/ha were significantly better over other level of treatments in reducing Stemphylium blight and Downy mildew disease severity and also increasing yield parameters.Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 6(1): 17-22

Effect of Some Organic Manure on Growth and Yield of Garlic in Greenhouse Condition at Cold Desert High Altitude Ladakh Region

<p>A field experiment was conducted to investigate effects of four organic manure sources (vermicompost, poultry manure, sheep & goat manure and cattle FYM) on growth and yield attributing characters of garlic in greenhouse condition during extreme winter months (October to May) at Leh-Ladakh, India with three application rates of organic manures <em>viz</em>. 10, 20 and 30 tons ha<sup>-1</sup>. The results revealed that, organic manure application enhanced plant growth, improved garlic yield and its components <em>viz</em>. no. of cloves per bulb, bulb diameter and weight. Also, with increasing rate of application of organic manures from 10 to 20 tons ha<sup>-1</sup>, all growth and yield characters of garlic were improved. Vermicompost and poultry manure had significant effects on plant growth characters <em>viz</em>. plant height, number of leaves per plant, length and width of leaves especially in the T<sub>3</sub> and T<sub>6</sub> treatments. Highest garlic yield (105.03q ha<sup>-1</sup>) was achieved in T<sub>6</sub> treatment (poultry manure @ 20 tons ha<sup>-1</sup>). Overall, application of organic manures proved to be beneficial for garlic production and its application should be popularized for sustainable agriculture in fragile ecosystem of cold arid desert of Ladakh region. </p>

Inorganic and Organic Liquid Fertilizer Effects on Growth and Yield of Onion

ABSTRACTThe Government of Ethiopia recently introduced a new synthetic compound fertilizer (NPS; 19% N, 38% P2O5, and 7% S) for blending with K, Zn, and B. The performance of NPS, and whether blending it with organic liquid fertilizer (OLF), improves growth and productivity of onion (Allium cepa L.) has not been studied. The experiment was conducted in the Gurage zone, Ethiopia, from June to September 2016 to identify the best combination of NPS and OLF to increase onion productivity. Combinations of NPS and OLF used were 0, 400, or 500 L∙ha−1 OLF and 0, 150, or 200 kg∙ha−1 of NPS. The interaction of NPS and OLF affected plant height, leaf number, bulb diameter, and bulb dry weight with the highest mean values (43.6 cm, 7.73/plant, 5.14 cm, and 20.8 g/bulb) obtained from 400 L∙ha−1 OLF+0 NPS, 0 OLF+200 kg∙ha−1 NPS, 400 L∙ha−1 OLF+0 NPS, and 400 L∙ha−1 OLF+200 kg∙ha−1 NPS, respectively. The main effect of OLF affected onion leaf length, total bulb yield, and bulb fresh weight with the highest values obtained from 400, 500, and 500 L∙ha−1 OLF were 36.5 cm, 46.2 t∙ha−1, and 46.8 g/bulb, respectively. The main effect of NPS affected total bulb yield, with the highest yield, 46.1 kg∙ha−1, obtained from 200 kg∙ha−1 NPS. Growth and yield attributes were influenced differently by OLF and NPS fertilizers, indicating that there is an opportunity to customize combinations of OLF and NPS to increase productivity of red onion.

<b>Organic cultivation of onion under castor cake fertilization and irrigation depths

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects that different doses of castor bean (0, 200, and 300 g m-2) and irrigation levels (204, 224, 278, and 321 mm in 2014, and 278, 302, 397, and 444 mm in 2015) have on both the productivity and quality of onion bulbs. In the experiments, the experimental design was randomized blocks (4 x 3 factorial scheme), with five replicates. Irrigation management was performed using a Simplified Irrigation Device (SID) in response to soil water tension in the treatment of highest irrigation depth. The following variables were evaluated: plant dry biomass (PDB), bulb dry biomass (BDB), total yield (TY), mean bulb fresh weight (MBFW), mean bulb dry weight (MBDW), mean bulb diameter (MBD) and water use efficiency (WUE). The highest irrigation depths positively influenced the mean production of onion bulbs, regardless of the applied dose of castor cake. The doses of castor cake positively influenced the production of onion bulbs when higher irrigation depths were applied.

Quality Improvement And Seed Yield Of Two Garlic Cultivars (Allium Sativam L.) By Seaweed Extract And Mycorrhizae

The present work was carried out at a private farm in sharnoob village, Damanhur city, Behiragovernorate, Egypt, during successive seasons of 2015/2016 and 2016/2017. The present study aimed toinvestigate the effect of some bio- stimulants (seaweed extract and mycorrhiza fungi) application on thevegetative growth, yield and its component of two garlic cultivars (Balady and Sids 40). Eight treatments ofbio- stimulants were used; i.e., T1=Foliar application with tap water (control),T2=Foliar application withseaweed extract at rate 3ml/L,T3=soaking with seaweed extract at rate3ml/L,T4= soaking and foliarapplication with seaweed extract at rate 3ml/L,T5=Inoculums mycorrhizal in soil and covered in soil, T6=Foliar application with seaweed extract at rate3ml/L + inoculums mycorrhizal in soil and covered in soil,T7=soaking with seaweed extract at rate 3ml/L +inoculums mycorrhizal in soil and covered in soil andT8=soaking and foliar application with seaweed extract at rate 3ml/L + inoculums mycorrhizal in soil andcovered in soil. The results indicated that significant difference between the two tested cultivars, where Sids40 cultivar had thick nick diameter, bulb diameter cm, bulb fresh weight g/ plant, total yield / faddan, N%, P%and K% contents of bulbs in both season. The best results also were given when T3, T5 and T7 treatmentsapplication on the most tested characters. The interaction between two garlic cultivars and bio- stimulantstreatments show significant effect on all the studied garlic characters. In general,T3=soaking with seaweedextract, T5= inoculums mycorrizal in soil and covered in soil and T7= soaking with seaweed extra at rate3ml/L +inoculums mycorrhizal in soil and covered in soil can be recommended for achieving bettervegetative growth and higher bulb yield of the garlic plants, particularly, Sids 40 cultivar.

RESPONSE OF ONION PLANTS TO SOME SAFETY TREATMENTS IN THE FIELD.

The present experiments included six treatments the were randomly arranged using the complete randomized design with four replicates. Mycorrhiza achieved the best records of plant height and leaves and neck fresh weight. Seaweed, mycorrhiza and magnetic water irrigation attained the records of number of leaves. Plant received mycorrhiza followed by those received magnetic water irrigation gained, in general bulb dry weight. As for growth analysis attributes, all of the applied treatments, excepting organic manure at the first period, positively affected leaf area and leaf area index. As for chemical constituents, all applied treatments unsignificantly increased P and K contents. Significant positive correlations were, generally, observed between chlorophyll fractions and the tested treatments. The correlation between of the tested treatments and the accumulation of different biochemical active compounds within treated onion such as ploy phenols, peroxidases and cinamic acid substrates were investigated through using HPLC apparatus. The results showed that the highest recorded growth and vegetative criteria were observed on plants treated with mycorrhiza fungi followed by magnetized water. On contrary, the lowest growth and vegetative values were recorded by organic fertilizers and traditional recommend fertilizers. Biochemical analysis using HPLC revealed that cinamic acid substrate was detected only within treated plants by sea weeds extracts, humic acid and recommended mineral fertilizers. The highest accumulation of peroxidase enzyme was observed with mycorrhiza and sea weeds treatments. The results showed also that mycorrhiza fungi, sea weeds extracts, organic fertilizers in addition to recommend mono fertilizers increased the accumulation of poly phenols substrates more than all other tested treatments. As for bulbs yield and yield components, all applied treatments failed to achieve any significant effect on both bulbs diameter or length. As for the total yield, mycorrhiza followed by magnetic water achieved the highest record in the connection as seaweed occupied the third position. As for bulbs storageability, excepting for magnetized water and humic acid, which reduced weight loss in all assessing dates, all applied treatments caused, in general, an increase in this storage attribute.

The analysis of consumption level and preferences of freshshallots consumers in Medan

Comprehension about consumer preferences gives a very important contribution to the consumer’s decision making process, which eventually affects the level of consumer consumption. This study aims to analyze the level of consumer consumption, consumer preferences, as well as the combination of the most preferred attributes by the fresh shallots consumers in Medan. The number of respondents in this study is 100 households. Consumer preferences were identified using conjoint analysis. Attributes of the product that were observed are the size of the root, aroma, price, and dryness. The result of this study shows that the average level of fresh shallots consumption in Medan is 11.67 grams/capita/day, which is higher compared to the 7 grams/capita/day average of national consumption. Consumers assume that the dryness is a very high importance value in judging and deciding whether to buy the fresh shallots, followed by the attribute of aroma, price, and size of the root. Meanwhile, the combination of attributes that is most preferred are fresh shallots with bulb diameter of 2.5 cm, strong aroma, low price ranging below Rp 35000/kg and dryness level in medium category which means the products are in a rather moist/dry condition, and has a little skin waste.

Evaluation and variability study in garlic

Thirty diverse genotypes of garlic (Allium sativum L.) were evaluated for important quantitative andqualitative traits. The genotype JAS 28 showed highest value for quantitative traits such as, leaf length (36.33cm), leaf width (1.74 cm), pseudostem diameter (0.84 cm), equatorial diameter of bulb (4.16 cm), average weightof bulb (27.0 g), marketable yield (117.0 q/ha) and total yield (118.0 t/ha). Further, maximum plant height (62.20cm), number of cloves/bulb (23.66) and average weight of bulb(27.0 g) were observed in the genotype JAS 16. The genotype JAS 5 had maximum polar diameter of bulb (3.82 cm) and matured in minimum days (137.33days), which could be easy selection for earliness along with high yield. Looking to the diversity among thegenotypes, the traits evaluated for variability analysis showed high PCV and GCV for number of cloves/bulb, pseudostem diameter and width. The heritability coupled with genetic advance as per cent of mean amongthe genotypes was, however, high in case of marketable yield, total yield, average weight of bulb, leaf length, average weight of 10 cloves and pseudostem length. Thus, the present investigation showed maximum diversityamong the genotypes and the genotypes JAS 28 and JAS 16 were found to be good parental material to be used in breeding programme.

Growth and Bulb Yield of Onion (Allium cepa L.) in Response to Plant Density and Variety in Jimma, South Western Ethiopia

In appropriate use of plant spacing and lack of evaluation of improved varieties across agro ecologies are the predominant agronomic practices that reduce the productivity of onion. The present study therefore, has been designed to investigate the influence of variety, intra-row spacing and their possible interaction on growth and yield of onion. The study was conducted under irrigation during the year 2016/2017 at Jimma University College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, on experimental site of horticultural crops. Four onion varieties (Adama Red, Nafis, Melkam and Nasik Red) and three intra-row spacing (7,10 and 13 cm) with inter-row spacing of 20 cm. The experiment was designed in RCBD with three replications. The results of the study showed that both variety and intra-row spacing had a significant effect (P˂0.05) on all parameters, except for the leaf diameter which was only affected by intra-row spacing. Leaf number per plant was significantly affected by interaction of variety and intra-row spacing. The highest leaf number (13.9) obtained from variety Nafis with intra-row spacing of 13 cm. In general, leaf number per plant, leaf length, plant height and leaf diameter were higher at wider intra-row spacing (13 cm). Nafis variety was superior in terms of leaf number per plant (13.9), bulb diameter (5.67 cm), average bulb weight (74.50 g), marketable yield (36.26 t ha-1) and total bulb yield (36.28 t ha-1). Onion plant grown at closer intra-row spacing (7 cm) showed very promising result for average bulb weight, marketable yield and total tuber yield. Moreover, the closest intra-row spacing (7 cm) gave higher marketable and total bulb yield than the wider intra-row spacing. Thus, growers in the study area can be benefited from closer intra-row spacing, however, it is paramount important to test the feasibility of the other closest intra-row spacing e.g., 6 cm and 4 cm.