Marketable Bulb Yield Research Articles

Evaluation of Intrarow Spacing on Growth and Yield Performance of Four Onion (Allium cepa L.) Varieties in Beyeda District, North Gondar, Ethiopia

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is a vegetable crop that belongs to the genus Allium under the family Alliaceae produced widely throughout the world. Field experiments were undertaken to evaluate the different varieties and plant spacings on the growth and bulb yield performance of onion (Allium cepa L.) in Beyeda district, North Gondar, Ethiopia. Four different levels of spacing (6, 8, 10, and 12 cm) and four different types of varieties (Shallot, Nasik red, Robat, and Nafis) were arranged under randomized complete block design (RCBD) of factorial arrangement with three replications. The experiment was arranged in 4 × 4 factorial combinations, and the total area was divided into three blocks each of which comprised 16 treatment combinations and a total of 48 plots. The highest plant height (54.18 cm), leaf length (45.48 cm), and leaf diameter (1.47 cm) were recorded from the variety of Nasik red while the lowest plant height, leaf length, and leaf diameter were measured from shallot. The highest leaf number was observed from shallot (37.53) while the lowest leaf number was recorded from the Nafis variety. The longest bulb length (4.44 cm) and the widest bulb diameter (4.67 cm) were obtained from the Nafis variety while the shortest bulb length and narrowest bulb diameter were measured from shallot. Inversely, the highest bulb weight (54.50 g/plant), total biomass (94.75 g/plant), and unmarketable bulb yield (1.75 t/ha) were recorded from shallot while the lowest bulb weight, total biomass, and unmarketable bulb yield were recorded from the Robat variety. Intrarow spacing showed a significant effect on onion growth and bulb yield parameters, as the earliest (135 days) and the most delayed (146 days) maturity were recorded at 6 cm and at 12 cm spaces, respectively. The highest unmarketable bulb yield has been seen at 8 cm and the lowest at 12 cm space of the Nasik red variety. Similarly, the highest leaf number, leaf diameter, bulb diameter, bulb weight, total biomass, marketable, and total bulb yield were recorded at 12 cm space under the Nafis variety. Furthermore, under the shallot variety, the widest bulb diameter was recorded at 10 cm while the narrowest one was recorded at 6 cm space. Generally, based on the result of marketable bulb yield performance, Nafis variety at 12 cm and 8 cm spaces, Robat at 6 cm space, and Nafis red at 10 cm space, respectively, have effective performance for onion production. The interaction effects of intrarow spacing with different varieties did not have a significant effect on all of the growth parameters and yield components.

Improving onion productivity through optimum and economical use of soil macronutrients in Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia

Various constraints are reported for the low productivity of onion in Ethiopia and among which inappropriate and uneconomical uses of soil macronutrient are the most important ones. This study is, therefore, undertaken to improve the productivity of onion through optimum and economical use of soil macronutrient (N and blended NPS) in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia under supplemental irrigation. The experiment was arranged in a factorial combination of four N (0, 46, 92 and 138 kg ha -1 ) and four NPS (0, 121, 242 and 363 kg ha -1 ) fertilizer levels in randomized complete block design with three replications. Data on phenology, growth, and yield and quality components of onions were recorded. The main effects of N and NPS fertilizer levels had significantly influenced days to 70% maturity, plant height, leaf length, bulb diameter, bulb length, average bulb weight, bulb dry weight, total biomass yield and total soluble solids. The interaction effect also significantly affected leaf number, total bulb yield and marketable bulb yield of onion. The highest total and marketable bulb yields of 47.69 and 47.42 t ha -1 , respectively, were obtained from 92 kg ha -1 N combined with 242 kg ha -1 of NPS fertilizer. Therefore, it can be concluded that 92 kg ha -1 of N and 242 kg ha -1 of NPS blended fertilizer with having 46 nitrogen, 92 phosphorus and 16.94 sulfur is economically feasible to improve the productivity of onion in the study area and similar environment. As the experiment was done for one variety, season and location, it has to be repeated with other varieties over seasons and locations to make a conclusive recommendation.

Effect of varieties and spacing on growth, physiological attributes and yield of onion under South Gujarat condition

The experiment was conducted to find out the effect of spacing and varieties on onion at Navsari Agricultural University during year 2020-21 and 2021-22. The experiment was arranged over 12 treatment combinations comprising of three varieties (V1: GJRO-11, V2: Agrifound Light Red and V3: NHRDF Red-3) and 4 levels of spacing (S1: 15 cm × 7.5 cm, S2: 15 cm × 10 cm, S3: 15 cm × 12.5 cm and S4: 15 cm × 15 cm) in factorial randomized block design (RBD) with three replications. Among the varieties, GJRO-11 variety was superior in growth and physiological parameters viz. plant height, leaf area, crop growth rate, relative growth rate, and absolute growth rate and biomass duration. Whereas, minimum bolting and maximum average bulb weight and marketable bulb yield was recorded in NHRDF Red-3 and lesser days to maturity of plant was recorded in Agrifound Light Red. The higher plant height, leaf area, relative growth rate, absolute growth rate and biomass duration was observed in spacing of 15 cm × 15 cm. Whereas, maximum crop growth rate, average bulb weight and marketable bulb yield and minimum number of bolting, lesser days to maturity was recorded in spacing of 15 cm × 7.5 cm. The maximum average bulb weight was observed in NHRDF Red-3 with 15 cm × 15 cm. whereas, maximum marketable bulb yield was noted in the treatment combination of NHRDF Red-3 with 15 cm × 7.5 cm.

Maximizing Bulb Yield and Quality of Onion (Allium Cepa L.) Through Agronomic Management of Phosphorus Fertilizer and Transplanting Date Under Irrigation in Alaba, Ethiopia.

Bulb yield and quality of the onion is constrained by a number of factors, including inappropriate transplanting age and poor fertilizer management practices. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted to determine the best transplanting date on quality, combined with phosphorus level, on onion yield of onion. The study was conducted at Alaba, Ethiopia, during 2018/19 season. The treatments consisted of four phosphorus levels, i.e., 0, 20, 40 and 60 kg.ha-1, and three transplanting dates, i.e., 42, 49 and 56 days, from sowing. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with four replications. The result showed that transplanting date and phosphorus rate significantly affected bulb dry weight and marketable bulb yield which includes medium and large sized bulbs. Among these parameters, marketable bulb yield was also significantly affected by the interaction of transplanting date and phosphorus rate. In this study, onion fertilized with P at 60 kg.ha-1 transplanted at 56 days had the highest marketable bulb yield. The economic analysis revealed that the highest net benefit with the lowest cost of production was obtained from the application of P at 40 kg.ha-1 and the transplanting at 56 days. The marginal rate of return for this treatment was economically feasible for producing onion bulb in the districts.

Performance of a semi-glossy onion hybrid in certified organic onion fields infested with Thrips tabaci and bulb-rot causing bacteria

More than one-third of the certified organic farms that produce dry bulb onions in the USA are in the Great Lakes region, while onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman, and bulb-rot causing bacteria are important onion production constraints. Onion cultivars with semi-glossy foliage have been reported to support fewer thrips and suffer less thrips damage and therefore may provide a non-chemical option for thrips management. However, inconsistent results regarding efficacy of semi-glossy onions to reduce thrips densities have been reported in field studies. Bacteria causing bulb rot can infect onion plants through wounds in leaves, but the relationship between thrips damage and bacterial bulb rot disease needs further investigation. In this study, the performance of a semi-glossy onion hybrid, ‘USDA Maia’, was compared with the commonly grown waxy, thrips-susceptible cultivar ‘Bradley’ on certified organic farms in New York and Wisconsin from 2019 to 2021. Results indicated that thrips abundance was not different between ‘USDA Maia’ and ‘Bradley’. Bacterial bulb rot incidence in ‘USDA Maia’ was either similar or lower than the incidence in ‘Bradley’ in four of six trials, but higher in the other two. Marketable bulb yield in ‘USDA Maia’ was similar to yield in ‘Bradley’ in four of seven trials, but lower in the other three. Positive relationships between thrips density and bacterial bulb rot incidence occurred in one of three trials for both onion cultivars. Similarly, negative relationships between thrips density and marketable bulb yield only occurred in one of three trials, regardless of onion cultivar. ‘USDA Maia’ did not reduce thrips infestations as anticipated, but it was similar in susceptibility to bacterial bulb rot disease and produced similar large bulb yields as ‘Bradley’. While high thrips abundance can potentially increase incidence of bacterial bulb rot disease, wet growing conditions during bulbing was more important.

Onion (Allium cepa L.) bulb yield in low input production systems can be sustained through combined application of chicken manure and blended fertilizer

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the response of onion to different rates of chicken manure (CM) and blended fertilizer (BF) on growth and bulb yield at Jimma, Southwestern Ethiopia during the 2017/18 cropping season. Treatments consisted of four rates of CM (no CM, 5, 10 and 15 t ha- 1) and four rates of BF (no BF, 62.5, 125.0 and 187.5 kg ha−1) and laid out in 4 × 4 factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data on growth and bulb yield of onion were collected and analyzed using SAS version 9.3. Results showed that application of 15 t ha−1 CM + 125 kg ha−1 BF resulted in significantly (p < 0.05) desirable onion bulb characteristics such as larger bulb neck diameter (1.6 cm)bulb diameter (6.7 cm) and higher bulb dry weight (26.05 g plant−1). In addition, aboveground dry biomass weight (4.67 g plant−1), harvest index (84.79%), marketable bulb yield (37.34 t ha−1) and total bulb yield (37.86 t ha−1) were significantly influenced by the combined application of CM and BF suggesting that that productivity of onion can be improved through combined application of CM with BF. We conclude that combined application of CM along with BF could improve soil fertility and productivity of low input onion production systems.

Efficacy of agro-industrial wastes on the weed control, nutrient uptake, growth, and yield of onion crop (Allium cepa L.)

Purpose Two field experiments were conducted to examine the efficacy of orange peel waste (ORPW), olive oil processing waste (OLPW), and mango leaf waste (MLW) as aqueous extracts or soil mulches on growth, yield, and bulb quality response; nutrient uptake; and weed control. Methods The treatments were aqueous extracts (ORPW20%, OLPW30%, and MLW30%) alone or mixed with half a dose of oxyfluorfen herbicide (938 ml ha−1, ½OXYF, the recommended dose is 1875 ml ha−1), soil mulching with orange peel waste, mango leaves, olive oil waste, and rice straw (ORPWM, OLPWM, MLW, and RSM, respectively) at 10 tons ha−1, hoeing, oxyfluorfen herbicide (at 938 and 1875 ml ha−1), and unweeded control treatment. Results The highest weed control efficacy, at 100 days after transplanting, was found in the ORPW20% + ½OXYF (89%), hoeing (88.3%), and ORPWM (88%) treatments. The ORPW20% + ½OXYF and hoeing treatments also showed the highest ability in saving N, P, K, Zn, Mn, and Fe nutrients, without significant differences from the MLW30% + ½OXYF and ORPWM treatments. The ORPW20% + ½OXYF, ORPWM, MLWM, and MLW30% + ½OXYF treatments significantly increased marketable onion bulb yield by 100.6%, 93.9%, 92.1%, and 89%, respectively, without significant difference from hoeing treatment (102.3%). Conversely, the increase of marketable bulb yield in the RSM, OLPWM, and OLPW30% + ½OXYF treatments was 85.4%, 83.5%, and 78.7%, respectively, statistically equaled that obtained from OXYF treatment (79.3%). Conclusion It was concluded that ORPW and MLW as aqueous extracts mixed with ½OXYF herbicide or as soil mulches could be used in controlling weeds and increasing onion crop yield and bulb quality.

SCHEDULING OF DRIP IRRIGATION SYSTEM FOR GARLIC CROP IN MALWA REGION OF MADHYA PRADESH, INDIA

The field experiments were conducted during the two consecutive rabi seasons 2017-18 and 2018-19 at farmer’s field to study the influence of drip irrigation on plant growth and yield parameters of garlic (cv. G-282) in Gogarpura village of Mandsaur district of Madhya Pradesh. The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized block design with nine treatment combinations consisting of three irrigation levels and three fertilizer levels having three replications and one control plot treatment of flood irrigation in border strip. Three irrigation levels were 60% CPE, 80% CPE and 100% CPE. The maximum percentage of water saving over control treatment was observed in treatment 60% CPE (63.93%) followed by 80% CPE (51.90%) and 100% CPE (39.88%). The irrigation levels significantly affected (P&lt;0.05) the plant height, marketable bulb yield and gross bulb yield of garlic. However, the neck thickness was not affected by irrigation levels. Highest plant height (73.01 cm), neck thickness (0.84 cm), marketable bulb yield (115.23 q/ha) and gross bulb yield (126.75 q/ha) was recorded in treatment 100% CPE.

Determination of Optimum Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilizer Rates on Bulb Yield of Onion (Allium cepa L.) at Bako, Western Oromia, Ethiopia

Field experiment was conducted to evaluate bulb yield of onion (Allium cepa L.) under different levels of nitrogen and P 2 O 5 for two years (2013-2014) at Bako, Western Oromia. Treatments comprised of three levels of nitrogen (46, 92, 138 kgha -1 ) and three levels of P 2 O 5 (46, 92,138 kgha -1 ) and including check 0, 50 and 0,100 kgha -1 P 2 O 5 and nitrogen respectively. The experiment was designed in RCBD and replicated three times. The variety bombe red is used as test material. Fertilizer rates were applied in split applications two times for nitrogen and once for P 2 O 5 . Combined analysis of variance showed as highly significant differences were observed among the treatments. So, an optimum fertilizer rates for nitrogen &amp; P 2 O 5 which gave the highest marketable bulb yield ha -1 was recommended for the study area and for similar agro-ecologies. The result showed that application of nitrogen significantly increased the average bulb yield of red bulb onion after harvest but application of the main effect P 2 O 5 alone, year * nitrogen, year * P 2 O 5 and year * P 2 O 5 * nitrogen has no significant effect on bulb yield of onion. The interaction of 138kgha -1 P 2 O 5 with 138kgha -1 nitrogen can significantly increases total bulb yield of onion (28.07 tha -1 ) and recommended for the study area. Besides, it is possible to produce and obtain reasonable bulb yield of 20.58 tha -1 bulb onion with the interaction of 92kgha -1 nitrogen and 92kgha -1 P 2 O 5 . During vegetative growth stage and at its maturity it was observed that there is disease reaction of purple blotch recorded. Eventually, it is also possible to recommend from the result that onion bulb yield was more responsive to the main effect of nitrogen and its interaction with P 2 O 5 but not much respond to the main effect P 2 O 5 application alone. We can conclude that rather than application of 92 kgha -1 N*138kgha -1 P 2 O 5 and 46kgha -1 N*92kg ha -1 P 2 O 5 , application of 100 kgha -1 N alone gave remarkable bulb yield. This directly indicated that bulb yield of onion production is more responsive to nitrogen application than P 2 O 5 fertilizer rates. As this experiment was conducted during the main rainy season disease infestation (purple blotch) was the main problem encountered especially in the second year followed the humid environment. So, application of chemical (Orious) 2 litha -1 2-3 times with in fourteen days interval is very crucial to check/control this diseases. Keywords: Bulb Yield, Nitrogen, Onion, Phosphorus DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/13-8-01 Publication date: April 30 th 2022

The influence of micronutrient dupplementation on onion growth, yield and quality (Allium cepa L.)

At the Vegetable Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, JNKVV, Jabalpur, M.P. an experiment was done to see how micronutrient supplementation affected onion growth, production and quality during the year 2017-18. Twelve treatments containing different micronutrients along with control were applied and the observations were recorded on growth, yield and quality parameters. The highest plant height (67.34 cm), no. of leaves (13.60), leaf length (46.79 cm), pseudo stem length (13.39 cm), polar diameter (7.47 cm), equatorial diameter (8.84 cm), neck thickness (1.67 cm), marketable bulb yield plot-1 (17.01 kg), total bulb yield (297.87 q/ha) and TSS (15.670Brix) were recorded under T11 ( Soil application of ZnSO4+ Borax + CuSO4 @ 10 kg ha-1), where as lower values for above traits were recorded under T13 where only RDF was applied.

Effects of Deficit Irrigation and Mulch Levels on Growth, Yield and Water Productivity of Onion (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Allium cepa&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; L.) at Werer, Middle Awash Valley, Ethiopia

Enhancing water productivity of irrigated crops through Agricultural water management is a vital option in water scarce areas, such as, Rift valley. Accordingly, a field experiment was conducted at Werer Agricultural Research Center to evaluate the effects of deficit irrigation and straw mulching levels on growth, yield and water productivity of onion (<i>Allium cepa</i> L.). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design in factorial arrangement of three levels of irrigation (100, 80 and 60% of Crop Evapotranspiration and four levels of straw mulch (0, 3, 6 and 9ton wheat straw per ha) in three replications. The output of Cropwat model indicated that the highest seasonal water requirement of onion was 422.5 mm at 100% ETc while; the lowest was 253.5 mm at 60% ETc. The analysis of variance revealed that there was significant (p<0.05) difference in growth parameters and yield parameters were highly significant (p<0.01) influenced by the interaction effects of deficit irrigation and straw mulch levels. The highest marketable bulb yield (33.47 t/ha) was obtained from an experimental plot treated with combined application of 100% of ETc and 6 t/ha straw mulch, while the lowest (21.10 t/ha) was obtained from plots treated with 60% ETc irrigation level and no mulch treatment. Water productivity was also highly significant (p<0.01) influenced by the interaction effects of deficit irrigation and straw mulching levels; the highest (10.22 kg/m³) and the lowest (6.11 kg/m³) were recorded from the plots treated with 60% ETc and 9 t/ha straw mulch, and 100% ETc and no mulch treatments, respectively. Therefore, in terms of marketable bulb yield and water productivity, irrigating with 80% ETc with 6 t/ha straw mulch would be recommended for production of onion in the study area.

Investigation of the Response of onion (Allium Cepa L.) to continuous deficit irrigation as smart approaches to crop irrigation under Mediterranean conditions

Water is a crucial resource for food production and its scarcity associated with frequent droughts has increased the need for a more efficient use of it along with new irrigation management technologies. This study addressed onion crop responses to continuous deficit irrigation with trigging thresholds of readily available water content. The experiment was conducted on an experimental plot in open field in Morocco. Three water regimes were applied T1 control (100%), T2 (75%) and T3 (50%) of crop evapotranspiration ETc combined with two trigging thresholds (10% and 5%). This is a complete random block device with four repetitions. The measurements concerned the monitoring of vegetative, Eco physiological and yield parameters. The results obtained show that: (i) 100% ETc irrigation at a threshold of 5% of RAW recorded the maximum bulb diameter and weight, thus achieving the best marketable bulb yields. However, in terms of yields, this treatment is not significantly different from the other irrigation regimes with the exception of the irrigated treatment at 50% daily ETc and at a threshold of 10% RAW. The latter recorded the lowest values in terms of production parameters. (ii) For the ecophysiological parameters, significant effects of irrigation dose were observed for proline content, stomatal conductance and leaf temperature, and the effect of the trigging threshold was clearly observed for the moisture content of the leaves. (iii) Water restrictions have minimized the rate of premature run and population density of Thrips tabaci in the onion. (iv) Finally, the best agronomic efficiencies in the use of irrigation water were recorded in treatments with a water restriction of 50%.

Determination of Optimal Irrigation Scheduling for Onion (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Allium cepa&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; L.) in Gumara Scheme, North Western Ethiopia

The experiment was performed at Gumara irrigation scheme farm in the 2017/18 and 2019/19 irrigation seasons, with the objective of determining the optimum irrigation schedule based on the available soil moisture depletion levels. The experiment was carried out in RCBD with three replications, randomly assigned to the experimental plots with treatments. Six available soil moisture depletion levels (60, 80, 100, 120, 140, and 160%) were use. The results obtained of two years of research showed that different rates of levels of soil moisture available had a very highly significant effect (P<0.0001) on bulb mass, bulb diameter, marketable yield, and water productivity. The highest marketable bulb yield and water productivity (35222.2 kg ha^-1 and 7.06kg/m³) were recorded at 80% and available soil moisture depletion levels (ASMDL) and also the lowest non-marketable bulb yield (1513.9 kg/ha) was recorded at 80% ASMDL. However, the lowest marketable yield, lowest water productivity and highest non-marketable bulb yield (28722.2 kg ha^-1, 5.29 kg/m³ and 5236.1 kg /ha) was recorded at 160 percent ASMDL Very highly significant (P < 0.0001) plant height and bulb length differences were observed due to the treatments. The highest plant height and bulb length were recorded at 60 per cent AMADL (66.33 cm and 5.62 cm respectively). However, different soil moisture depletion levels showed no significant difference in the stand count of onion. The highest efficiency of water use on onion yield (7.06 kg/m³) was attained at 80 percent ASMDL, whereas the minimum efficiency of water use (5.29 kg/m³) was recorded at 160 per cent ASMDL. Therefore, based on the findings of the current experiment, it is recommended that using 80%ASMDL for furrow irrigation system for onion to be grown in areas around Fogera and similar agroecology as best options to increase yield and water use efficiency for the production of onion.

Variability in yield parameters of onion genotypes in Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh

Of the seventeen onion varieties evaluated for assessment of variability in mean performance, variances, heritability and genetic advance, (L-883 and Bhima Shweta) were most promising genotypes in respect of gross and marketable bulb yield, minimum number of bolters, rotten and multi-centred bulbs, bulb weight, equatorial bulb diameter, total soluble solids, number of leaves per plant and earliness in maturity. High values of genetic and phenotypic for gross and marketable bulb yield, average bulb weight, days to 70% neck fall and plant height indicated more opportunity of selection for these traits. High genetic advance as percentage of mean coupled with high heritability was observed for gross and marketable bulb yield and average bulb weight. Therefore, significant improvement could be expected through selection for these traits.

Genetic variability and correlation studies among morphological traits in garlic (Allium sativum L.)

Thirty-four genotypes of garlic were evaluated at Vegetable Research Station of C. S. Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kalyanpur, Kanpur during rabi season of 2018-19 to study the genetic variability as well as an association for 18 yield and yield developmental characters. A wide range of variation was observed for most of the characters like total bulb yield, marketable bulb yield, plant height, average weight of bulb, days to maturity, number of cloves bulb-1, average weight of cloves bulb-1, leaf length and dry matter content. The phenotypic coefficient of variation was higher than the genotypic coefficient of variation for all the traits studied, indicating influence of environment in the expression of these traits. Average weight of cloves bulb-1, average weight of bulb and plant height had a high phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variations coupled with high estimates of heritability and expected genetic advance. The marketable bulb yield had a significant positive correlation with characters viz., total bulb yield, width of cloves, average weight of bulb, number of leaves plant-1, days to maturity and average weight of cloves bulb-1 indicating that selection based on these traits will help to increase the yield of garlic.

Genetic Variability, Heritability and Genetic Advance for Bulb Yield and Yield Developmental Traits in Garlic (Allium sativum L.)

The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate 34 garlic genotypes for yield and its contributing traits in order to assess genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance during rabi 2019-20 at Vegetable Research Farm, C. S. Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kalyanpur, Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh). Analysis of variance table revealed that the mean sum of squares due to genotypes were highly significant for all the traits. In general, estimates of phenotypic coefficients of variation (PCV) for all traits were slightly higher than their corresponding genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV). Characters average weight of bulb and average weight of cloves per bulb showed the higher phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation among all the characters. Highest heritability was observed for equatorial diameter, clove length, leaf length, average weight of bulb, polar diameter, average weight of cloves per bulb, marketable bulb yield, number of cloves per bulb, width of cloves and number of leaves per plant. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean (GAM) was observed for average weight of bulb, average weight of cloves per bulb, number of cloves per bulb, marketable bulb yield and width of cloves indicating the presence of additive gene action for the expression of these traits.

Effect of Biochar and Inorganic Fertilizer on the Soil Properties and Growth and Yield of Onion (Allium cepa) in Tropical Ethiopia.

Biochar is a carbon-rich product, which is processed by pyrolyzing biomass to improve soil properties and maintain environmental sustainability. This study aim was to investigate the effect of biochar and inorganic fertilizer on soil properties, growth, and yield. Four treatments and four replications have been used for the experimental plots using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Soil physiochemical properties have been investigated based on soil samples within 0–30 cm depth in each plot. The two types of biochar (grass and chat waste) have been used for the treatments. The pyrolyzing temperature required for grass and chat waste is 250°C and 1100°C, respectively. The plant height, total yield, and the marketable and nonmarketable yield of onion have been examined. The analysis showed that treatment with grass biochar and inorganic fertilizer had a similar effect on soil properties but chat (Catha edulis) biochar had a lower effect on soil properties. The total yield and days to 70% maturity have been increased due to the cumulative treatment of grass biochar and inorganic fertilizer. The biochar of grass and inorganic fertilizer have been significantly increased in marketable bulb yield, but unmarketable yield becomes decreased. The chat waste and controlled treatments shown an increased unmarketable yield and declined marketable bulb yield. Overall, biochar can substitute the inorganic fertilizer, which can help to improve the w soil fertility and environmental sustainability. Therefore, biochar has a win-win solution.

Response of onion (Allium cepa L.) to plant population and weed control methods in a chicken weed (Portulaca quadrifida L.) infested field In Sudan Savanna, Nigeria

Chicken weed is a significant weed in India and it occurs under onion cultivated field at Birnin Kebbi in the Sudan Savannah, Nigeria. On-farm experiment was conducted at Birnin Kebbi during the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 dry season to evaluate the effect of plant population and weed control methods on the management of chicken weed (Portulaca quadrifida) alongside other weeds in onion field. The experiment consisted of three plant populations (500,000, 333,333 and 250,000 plants per hectare) and twelve weed control methods (Pendimethalin at 1.0 kg a.i. ha-1, + 1Hw; pendimethalin at 1.5 kg a.i. ha-1 + fluazifop-p-butyl at 2.0 kg a.i. ha-1; pendimethalin at 2.0 kg a.i. ha-1; butachlor at 2.0 kg a.i. ha-1 + 1Hw; butachlor at 2.8 kg a.i. ha-1 + oxyfluorfen at 1.0 kg a.i. ha-1; butachlor at 3.6 kg a.i. ha-1; fluazifop-p-butyl at 2.0 kg a.i. ha-1; oxyfluorfen at 1.0 kg a.i. ha-1 + 1Hw; hoe weeding at 3 (WAT); hoe weeding at 3 and 6 WAT; weed free and weedy check). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete Block design replicated three times. Results showed that weed, growth and yield parameters were not significantly affected by plant population. Pendimethalin at 1.5 kg a.i. ha-1 + fluazifop-p-butyl at 2.0 kg a.i. ha-1 and weed free plots consistently recorded the lowest weed cover and highest weed control efficiency. Butachlor at 2.0 kg a.i. ha-1 + 1 Hw recorded the lowest crop injury score. Increase in plant height was observed when pendimethalin at 1.0 and 1.5 kg a.i. ha-1 + 1 Hw and fluazifop-p-butyl at 2.0 kg a.i. ha-1 respectively was applied, while application of pendimethalin at 2.0 kg a.i. ha-1 and butachlor at 2.0 kg a.i. ha-1 + 1 Hw recorded highest number of leaves and leaf area. Cured bulb and marketable bulb yield were greater with the use of pendimethalin and butachlor at 1.0 and 1.5 kg a.i. ha-1 + 1 Hw and the pooled data respectively. Application of pendimethalin and butachlor at the rate of 1.0 and 2.0 kg a.i. ha-1 followed by 1 Hw at 6 WAT respectively was therefore recommended for the control of chicken weed alongside other weed species in the ecology

Response of Onion( Allium Cepa L, ) to Different Irrigation Levels Under Drip and Convetional Furrow Irrigation With and Without Mulch at Melkassa , Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia

Water is a scarce resource in Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia and is a major limiting factor for crop production. Onion is one of the major economically important vegetable crops grown under irrigation in central rift valley. The field experiment was conducted at Melkasa agricultural research center during the dry season to identify irrigation method and irrigation application level with and without mulch that maximizes productivity of onion per unit of water consumed and enhanced onion crop production. The experiment was carried out using split plot design inRCBD having twelve treatments with three replications.The FAO’s recommended allowable Manageable depletion level of onion is 100%. In this study 75%, 100% recommended and 125% were tested. The experiment consisted of two irrigation methods viz.,furrow irrigation and drip irrigation as main plot and three levels of Manageable allowable depletion viz., 125%, 100% and 75% with and without mulch as sub-plot.The analysis of variance revealed that irrigation methods and management allowed depletion levels had a significant and p&lt;0.05) effect on onion vegetative parameters like plant height, leaf height and yield parameters like bulb diameter, bulb height, total bulb yield, marketable bulb yield, and water productivity. The highest and lowest onion vegetative and yield parameters were obtained from drip irrigation and furrow irrigation method, respectively. Moreover, the highest and lowest onion vegetative and yield parameters were obtained from drip irrigation under 75% MAD with mulch and furrow irrigation under125% MAD without mulch, respectively. Further, their interaction had a significant effect on total bulb yield and water productivity. The maximum total bulb yield (37.1 ton/ha), marketable bulb yield (33.1 ton/ha), bulb diameter (5.6 cm), crop water use efficiency (0.78 kg/m 3 )and irrigation water use efficiency, (0.60 kg/m 3 ) were observed from drip irrigation method at 75% MAD with mulch application, while significantly lower as (30.5 ton/ha), (26.7 ton/ha), (5.0 cm), (0.53 kg/m 3 )and (0.40 kg/m 3 ) respectively were recorded from furrow irrigation method at 125% MAD with out mulch application. Generally, drip irrigation was working efficiently according to its design and economically acceptable. Among all tested treatments drip irrigation method under 75% MAD with mulch was the best practice because of its high yield and water productivity . Keywords : Drip irrigation, Furrow irrigation, MAD, Onion, Water Use Efficiency DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/12-15-02 Publication date: August 31 st 2021

Effect of Different Levels of Sulphur on Growth and Yield of Onion (Allium cepa L.) Under Drip Irrigation

A Field experiment was conducted to study the effect of different levels of sulphur on growth and yield of onion under drip irrigation on years (2013-2014) at RHREC, College of Horticulture, Bangalore. The experiment was conducted with a Randomized block design with four replications. The treatments comprised of 7 combinations (0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 kg S/ha) in which sulphur was supplied through gypsum. The results indicated significantly higher bulb yield (61.96t ha-1) and yield components like average bulb weight, bulb yield per plot and marketable bulb yield was obtained due to application of recommended dosage of fertilizer plus 45 kg S ha-1. The growth components viz., plant height, number of leaves, collar thickness and neck thickness showed significant with the application of result in the recommended dosage of fertilizer plus 45 kg S ha-1. Compared to other levels of sulphur.