Nasik Red Research Articles

Estimates of Variability, Heritability, Genetic Advance for Yield and its Quality Traits in Onion (Allium cepa L.) Genotypes

The present investigation to estimate genetic variability was carried out with forty genotypes of onion which were collected from different locations of Karnataka and were evaluated for growth yield and quality traits. Among all the genotypes studied, Gadag Local exhibited highest plant height at 30 DAT (34.20 cm), 50 DAT (43.46) and 90 DAT (51.76 cm), highest number of leaves were produced by Nasik Red at 50 DAT (9.40 cm) and Savalagi Local at 90 DAT (13.53 cm), Sathara Local exhibited highest equatorial diameter (4.54 cm). highest total soluble solids (15.03%) was recorded by Gadag Local. Kalasakoppa Local produced highest dry matter (20.16%) and B-780 took less number of days to maturity (100days), Bilagi Local had highest polar diameter (4.93 cm). The high GCV and PCV was observed for ten bulb weight and leaf diameter respectively. High estimates of heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean was observed for ten bulb weight and Total yield(q/ha) Hence, for future onion improvement, these well performing genotypes can be subjected to selection and also used as parents in hybridization programme to obtain varieties/hybrids with desirable quality and higher yield.

Participatory variety evaluation and selection of improved onion (Allium cepa L.) varieties for bulb yield under supplementary irrigation condition at Basketo Special District, Southern Ethiopia

Onion is one of the most important vegetables and high economic crops, but grown by a few small-scale farmers in Basketo special district (woreda). Likewise, productivity of the crop in the district is very low. Lack of improved onion varieties and the use of inappropriate agronomic practices are among the major factors that limit the productivity of onions in the study area. Hence, this study was conducted at Basketo special woreda in 2019 and 2020 cropping seasons under supplementary irrigation to evaluate adaptability and to select high yielding onion varieties using farmers’ selection criteria. The experiment consisted of five improved onion varieties, namely; Adama red, Bombay red, Nafis, Adama Red, Robaf and Nasik Red and arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design in three replications. The results revealed that onion varieties exhibited differential performance in the two cropping seasons in the study area. Accordingly, Nasik red variety gave the highest bulb weight, marketable and total bulb yield (13.23 and 1.75 t/ha) and took a short period for bulb maturity compared to other onion varieties in the two cropping seasons. On the other hand, variety Bombay red produced 11.7 and 11.3 t/ha during the year. However, variety ‘Nafis’ was also selected by the farmers through their criteria. Therefore, onion varieties Nasik red (129.9Q/ha) and Nafis (106.1 Q/ha) are selected and recommended for the onion growers in the study area for better bulb yield.

Influences of Seedling Age and Variety on the Growth and Bulb Yield of Onion in Northwest Ethiopia

Onion is one of the major cash crops and helps improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Although genetically and morphologically different, seedlings of all released onion varieties are transplanted at the ages ranging from 40 to 50 days, which contributes to the low level of productivity in Ethiopia. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted at the research site of Fogera National Research and Training Center during the 2019/20 irrigation season with the objective of identifying the optimum seedling age for improved onion productivity in Northwest Ethiopia. The treatments consisted of three varieties (Adama red, Bombay red, and Nasik red) and four seedling ages (30, 40, 50, and 60 days) of onion, which were laid down in 3 × 4 factorial arrangement using randomized complete block design with three replications. Growth and yield parameters of onion were collected based on the standard procedures and analyzed using SAS version 9.6. The results revealed that both variety and seedling age significantly ( P < 0.001 ) influenced plant height, leaf number, bulb diameter, fresh bulb weight, and marketable bulb yield, while their interaction effect did not influence these parameters. Days to maturity was significantly ( P < 0.001 ) affected by main as well as by the interaction effects of variety and seedling age. Younger seedling took longer time to mature, while older seedlings matured relatively early. The seedlings of Bombay red variety at 60 days age gave the earliest maturity days (105.33 days) compared to the other combinations. The highest plant height (50.18 cm), leaf number (12.00), bulb diameter (53.47 mm), bulb weight (84.39 g), and marketable bulb yield (29.97 t/ha) were recorded from Bombay red variety where the marketable yield recorded from Nasik red was statistically similar with that of Bombay red variety. Seedlings with 60 days old performed best in terms of all the tested growth and yield parameters including the highest marketability (32.03 t/ha). Accordingly, 60 days old seedlings and Bombay red and Nasik red varieties can be used to increase the productivity of onion in the study area and areas with similar agroecology.

Impacts of Varying Nitrogen Levels on Leaf length of Onion Varieties under Poplar Based Agroforestry System

Agroforestry systems play a vital role in increasing the production of the crops that help to improve the financial status of the farmer. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design (Factorial) with three replications and 12 treatments with and without a combination of three onion varieties and different levels of nitrogen fertilizer. The experiment consisted of twelve treatments, viz. V1 + N 0 kg, V1 + N 40 kg, V1 + N 80 kg, V1 + N 120 kg, V2 + N 0 kg, V2 + N 40 kg, V2 + N 80 kg, V2 + N 120 kg, V3 + N 0 kg, V3 + N 40 kg, V3 + N 80 kg, and V3 + N 120 kg. The results revealed that leaf length was found superior at a 120 kg N/h fertilizer level (V1 + N 120 kg) in the onion variety Nasik Red. The onion variety Nasik Red was determined to be the best variety, and 120 kg N ha -1 was determined to be the optimum dose for achieving maximum onion leaf length in a poplar-based agroforestry system.

Comparative assessment of different nutrient sources on growth, yield and nutrient uptake by onion (Allium cepa L.)

The present study was carried out on onion cv. Nasik Red in a randomized block design with three replications. The experiment comprised of nine treatments of different nutrient sources including organic manures and inorganic fertilizers. The effects of organic manures (farmyard manure, vermicompost and jeevamrut) alone and in conjugation with inorganic fertilizers on growth, nutrient uptake and yield of onion were studied. Integrated use of inorganic fertilizers and organic manure significantly influenced plant growth, yield and nutrient uptake by crop. The results showed that highest number (7.4) and length of leaves (36.6 cm), bulb size (19 cm2), NPK uptake (122.5, 16.7 and 67.4 kg ha−1, respectively) and biological yield (441.9 q ha−1) was recorded under T2 i.e., RDF + FYM @ 250 q ha−1. Increment in biological yield under T2 was 69.2% over control. Our results could provide a better understanding of the importance of inorganic fertilizers plus organic manure in maintaining soil fertility and thus enhancing nutrient uptake and crop production.

Performance and Adaptability Evaluation of Improved Onion Varieties (<i>Allium cepa</i> L.) for Bulb Yield and Some Agronomic Traits

Onion is one of the most important vegetable crops in the world including Ethiopia. The field experiment was conducted in Arsi zone at Kulumsa Agriculture Research Center and Ziway Dugda districts under irrigation condition. A total of five improved onion varieties were evaluated in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications with the objectives of studying the performance and adaptability of improved onion varieties for bulb yield and yield related traits in 2017 during off season. The combined Analysis of variance (variety by location) revealed that significant difference between improved onion varieties for maturity date, marketable and unmarketable bulb yield tons per hectare, bulb length in centimeter, and bulb weight in gram was observed. But non-significant difference for plant height in centimeter, total bulb yield tons per hectare and average bulb diameter in centimeter were observed between improved onion varieties. Except variety Adama Red all the tested improved onion varieties (Melkam, Nafis, Nasik Red and Bombay Red) was well performed and adapted. These varieties were gave more than 40 marketable bulb yield t ha^-1. So those improved onion varieties were recommended for the study area and areas of similar agro- ecological zones under off season growing condition.

Management of Onion Thrips [Thrips tabaci Lind. (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)] on Onion Using Eco-Friendly Cultural Practices and Varieties of Onion in Central Zone of Tigray, Ethiopia

Onion thrips, Thrips tabaci (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is a major insect pest constraining onion production in the Central Zone of Tigray. Therefore, field experiment was conducted at Axum Agricultural Research from November 2015 to April 2016 to manage onion thrips using multiple techniques. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with split plot arrangement and replicated three times. Onion varieties Bombay Red and Nasik Red were used as main plot treatments and intercropping onion with one or two other vegetables including, cabbage, carrot and lettuce, as subplot treatments. Treating onion with the insecticide lambda-cyhalothrin (Karate) 5% EC and untreated sole onion were included as standard and control checks. Results showed that intercropping onion with cabbage, onion with cabbage + carrot and onion with cabbage + lettuce significantly reduced T. tabaci population by 58.47, 63.81 and 50.51%, respectively at higher infestations. Similarly, intercropping onion with cabbage, onion with cabbage + carrot and onion with lettuce + carrot showed a better effect in reducing thrips damage severity by 23.37, 23.09 and 17.66%, respectively, at higher infestations. Predatory thrips were observed on onion intercrops except the Karate 5% EC treated check. The highest marketable onion yield (35.52 t/ha) was obtained from onion intercropped with carrot and lettuce, though not significantly different from the untreated check. The lowest (23.54 t/ha) was obtained from onion intercropped with cabbage + lettuce. However, onion intercropped with lettuce gave the highest gross income (307344 ETB/ha). The lowest gross income was recorded from the insecticide treated plot (194583 ETB/ha). The study clearly showed that intercropping onion with other vegetables reduced the number of onion thrips and their damage on onion in the central zone of Tigray and hence can form an integral component in the integrated management of thrips on onion.

Effect of potassium and sulphur on soil properties and growth and yield of onion (Allium Cepa l.) cv. Nasik red

Effect of potassium and sulphur on soil properties and growth and yield of onion (Allium Cepa l.) cv. Nasik red

Informativeness of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Relationships among Onion Populations from Important World Production Regions

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped using a high-density array and DNAs from individual plants of important onion (Allium cepa L.) populations from major production regions and from the likely progenitor of onion, Allium vavilovii Popov et Vved. Genotypes at 1226 SNPs were used to estimate genetic relationships among these populations and revealed close associations among onions grown in Europe and those in North America, South America, and eastern Asia, supporting paths of introduction from Europe to the Americas and Asia. ‘Nasik Red’ is a population grown on the Indian subcontinent and was divergent from onions of European origin. Frequencies of SNPs among and within populations were used as a measure of informativeness, and 199 commonly polymorphic SNPs were identified distributed across the eight chromosomes of onion. These SNPs will be useful for estimations of relatedness among broader collections of onion populations, mapping of important phenotypes, fingerprinting of inbred lines and hybrids, and quality control of seed lots.

Effect of Planting Methods on Growth of Onion (<i>Allium cepa var. Cepa</i>)

The experiment was conducted at Melkassa center of the Ethiopian Institute of agricultural Research for two season to investigate the effect of different onion planting methods on growth parameters and canopy development of onion cultivars. The experiment consisted of three planting methods of onion, namely direct seeding to the field, transplanting of seedlings and planting sets, and three onion cultivars (Adama Red, Bombay Red and Nasik Red). The experimental design was split plot with three replications; cultivars were assigned to the main plot and planting methods to sub-plot. Data were collected at 55, 70, 85 and 100 days after planting. Leaf area index were significantly (P<0.05%) higher on sets and transplants at all dates of observation. The correlation analysis results show highly significant (P<0.001) association between plant height, leaf area, LAI and shoot fresh and dry weight, with correlation coefficient ranging between 0.89 and 0.99. This indicates that any one of these parameters can be used for yield estimator depending on the condition and the facilities available. Regression analysis of total yield on leaf area index showed stronger dependence at 85 days after planting than the other dates as observed by a higher value of coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.80). This study indicated that planting method has significant effect on the growth and performance of onion cultivars.

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.

Biological parameters of onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman on onion cultivars

Abstract Biological parameters of the onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman were studied on the following onion (Allium cepa L.) cultivars: Nasik Red Plus N-53, Onion Dr-301 (Krishna), Onion White, and Nasik Red, at 25±1°C and 65±5% RH. Significant (p &lt; 0.05) differences were found in the life stages and fertility life tables on different cultivars except in the pupal stages. More information about the biological parameters of T. tabaci on onion cultivars can help in designing Integrated Pest Management programs for onion thrips.

Effect of Different Varieties and Planting Time on Kharif Onion Production in Lower Shivalik Hills of Himachal Pradesh

An experiment was conducted to assess the effect of varieties and planting time on kharif onion production under low hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh at Research Farm of the Institute of Biotechnology and Environmental Science (Dr. Y.S. Parmar, University of Horticulture and Forestry), Neri, Hamirpur for two consecutive seasons (2011 &amp; 2012). The farm is located at an altitude of 620 m above mean sea level with average mean maximum and minimum temperature levels of 31.30 C and 12.40 C, respectively and is a representative site of low hill region of Himachal Pradesh. Four cultivars of onion viz. N-53, Nasik Red, Agrifound Dark Red (AFDR) and Agrifound Light Red (AFLR) were transplanted on six dates at ten days interval starting from 5th July to 25th August. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design with three replications for each treatment. Healthy seedlings were transplanted on raised beds at a spacing of 15 x 10 cm in plots of 3.0 x 3.0 m2. Recommended cultural practices were followed during investigation to raise the crop successfully. All the observations pertaining to traits viz. plant height (cm), neck thickness (cm), bulb diameter (cm), bulb weight (g), days for harvesting, and yield (q/ha) were taken by randomly selecting twenty healthy plants from each plot. Standard package and practices were followed for raising the crop as per the recommendations of the University. The maximum bulb diameter (5.50 cm was ()ng to bulb diameter showed that all the variables had significant effect on bulb diameter. the ing 2011 ) and highest bulb weight(64.37 g) among cultivars was noticed in cultivar Agrifound Dark Red. There was a significant effect of both by varieties and transplanting dates. The highest average yield (229.03 q/ha) was observed in cultivar AFDR. The highest bulb yield (197.54 q/ha) among transplanting dates was noted on third transplanting date D3 (25th July). Therefore it can be summarized that cultivar Agrifound Dark Red is the best suited cultivar for kharif onion production in lower Shivalik hills of Himachal Pradesh and it should be transplanted around 25th July for maximization of bulb yield.

Effect of date of transplanting and mulching on growth, yield and quality of onion (Allium cepa L.) cv. Nasik Red

A field experiment was conducted during rabiseason of 2014-2015 at Department of Applied Plant Sci-ence (Horticulture), Baba saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow-226025 (U.P.) India to find out the effect of different dates of transplanting and mulching on growth, yield and quality of onion (Allium cepa L.) cv. Nasik Red. There were 16 treatments comprising 4 dates of transplanting (15th November, 1st, 15th and 30th December) and 3 mulching (saw dust, rice husk and wheat straw) while, without mulching as control and laid out under two factor RBD with three replications. The study clearly revealed that there were significant effects of all treatments on vegetative growth, yield and quality attributes of onion. Plant height (65.34 cm), number of leaves per plant (8.89), length of leaves (56.07 cm), neck thickness (18.75 mm), yield (5.166 kg/plot and 387.46 q/ha) were found maximum at 1st December planting with wheat straw mulching (T7). The best quality bulb in respect of maximum neck thickness (12.35 mm), basal diameter (13.61.mm), diameter of bulb (54.41 mm polar and 64.15 mm equatorial), length of bulb (65.17 mm), number of scales per bulb (9.24), bulb moisture (85.06 %) T.S.S. (13.84 oBrix), ascorbic acid (10.47 mg/100g), total sugars (10.39 %) etc. were also obtained when mulching was done with wheat straw and transplant-ed on 1st December (T7) followed by T6 (planted on 1st December and mulching with rice husk). The study clearly concluded that i.) mulching is good for production of onion, ii.) late transplanting on 30th December showed very poor performance irrespective of mulching and iii) transplanting on 1st December and mulching with wheat straw was the best combination for getting good quality yield of onion.

Effect of plant and row spacing on growth and yield of onion under Mokokchung district of Nagaland

The experiment was undertaken to determine the effect of different plant and row spacing on growth and yield of onion. 8 different spacings were taken viz., 20x10 cm, 20x15 cm, 20x20 cm, 25x10cm, 25x15 cm, 25x20 cm, 30x10 and 30x15cm. Variety Nasik Red was used for the study. The results demonstrated that plant spacing had significant effects on growth, yield components and yield of onion. Significantly wider spacing produced higher size of plant height, leaf length and number of leaves. Bulb diameter, circumference and weight also have the same trend in wider spacing. The weight of individual onion bulb (53.0 g) was increased with the widest spacing of 30x15 cm. On the contrary, the overall yield/ha was the highest (17.69 t/ha) at the closest spacing (20 x10cm) and the lowest (9.51 t/ha) was at widest spacing (30x15 cm).

Evaluation of kharif onion varieties and transplanting time for production under North-Western mid Himalayan region

In order to boost onion production during kharif, it was considered imperative to test onion varieties for their performance and assess the effect of planting time on its production. Four onion varieties, viz. N-53, Nasik Red, Agrifound Dark Red (AFDR) and Agrifound Light Red (AFLR) were transplanted on five dates separated at ten day intervals starting from 15th July to 25th August at Research Farm of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Chamba for two consecutive seasons (2014 & 2015). There was a significant effect of varieties, transplanting dates and their interaction on bulb diameter, bulb weight and yield. The maximum bulb diameter (5.52 cm) and highest bulb weight (58.65 g) among cultivars was noticed in cultivar Agrifound Dark Red. The yield of onion was significantly affected both by variety and transplanting time. The highest average yield (184.98 q/ha) was observed in variety FDR. The highest bulb yield among transplanting dates was recorded on fourth transplanting date D4 (15th August). AFDR transplanted around second fortnight of August produced the highest bulb yield.

Effect of sulphur and zinc on growth and bulb production of onion CV. Nasik Red

Effect of sulphur and zinc on growth and bulb production of onion CV. Nasik Red

Evaluation of Onion Varieties under Low Hill Conditions of Himachal Pradesh

An experiment was conducted to identify promising varieties of onion suited for cultivation under low hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh. Ten varieties were evaluated at Research Farm of the Institute of Biotechnology and Environmental Science, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Neri, Hamirpur, for two consecutive seasons (2010- 2011 and 2011-2012). The farm is located at an altitude of 620m above mean sea level, with average mean maximum and minimum temperatures of 31.3°C and 12.4°C, respectively, and is a representative site of the low hill region of Himachal Pradesh. Standard package of practices was followed for raising the crop as recommended by the University. Observations were recorded on various horticultural traits, viz., plant height, number of leaves per plant, days to harvest, neck thickness, bulb diameter, bulb weight, TSS, and total yield. In addition, all the varieties were screened for resistance against purple blotch disease. Maximum days to harvest (129.33 days) were seen in the variety Holland Louis, while, variety Agrifound Rose showed minimum number of days (109). Varieties Palam Lohit, Nasik Red, N-53 and Agrifound Dark Red recorded significantly higher bulb yield (275.00, 240.67, 239.25 and 232.37 q/ha, respectively) than the other varieties evaluated. None of the varieties was able to resist the disease totally; however, 'Agrifound Dark Red' was moderately resistant, exhibiting just 13.78% disease incidence. Varieties Palam Lohit, Nasik Red and Agrifound Dark Red had medium bulb size and higher yield. These can be advocated for commercial cultivation under low hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh.

Genetic analyses of bolting in bulb onion (Allium cepa L.)

We present the first evidence for a QTL conditioning an adaptive trait in bulb onion, and the first linkage and population genetics analyses of candidate genes involved in photoperiod and vernalization physiology. Economic production of bulb onion (Allium cepa L.) requires adaptation to photoperiod and temperature such that a bulb is formed in the first year and a flowering umbel in the second. 'Bolting', or premature flowering before bulb maturation, is an undesirable trait strongly selected against by breeders during adaptation of germplasm. To identify genome regions associated with adaptive traits we conducted linkage mapping and population genetic analyses of candidate genes, and QTL analysis of bolting using a low-density linkage map. We performed tagged amplicon sequencing of ten candidate genes, including the FT-like gene family, in eight diverse populations to identify polymorphisms and seek evidence of differentiation. Low nucleotide diversity and negative estimates of Tajima's D were observed for most genes, consistent with purifying selection. Significant population differentiation was observed only in AcFT2 and AcSOC1. Selective genotyping in a large 'Nasik Red × CUDH2150' F2 family revealed genome regions on chromosomes 1, 3 and 6 associated (LOD > 3) with bolting. Validation genotyping of two F2 families grown in two environments confirmed that a QTL on chromosome 1, which we designate AcBlt1, consistently conditions bolting susceptibility in this cross. The chromosome 3 region, which coincides with a functionally characterised acid invertase, was not associated with bolting in other environments, but showed significant association with bulb sucrose content in this and other mapping pedigrees. These putative QTL and candidate genes were placed on the onion map, enabling future comparative studies of adaptive traits.

Measurement of the distribution of non-structural carbohydrate composition in onion populations by a high-throughput microplate enzymatic assay

Non-structural carbohydrate (NSC; glucose, fructose, sucrose and fructan) composition of onions (Allium cepa L.) varies widely and is a key determinant of market usage. To analyse the physiology and genetics of onion carbohydrate metabolism and to enable selective breeding, an inexpensive, reliable and practicable sugar assay is required to phenotype large numbers of samples. A rapid, reliable and cost-effective microplate-based assay was developed for NSC analysis in onions and used to characterise variation in tissue hexose, sucrose and fructan content in open-pollinated breeding populations and in mapping populations developed from a wide onion cross. Sucrose measured in microplates employing maltase as a hydrolytic enzyme was in agreement with HPLC-PAD results. The method revealed significant variation in bulb fructan content within open-pollinated 'Pukekohe Longkeeper' breeding populations over a threefold range. Very wide segregation from 80 to 600 g kg(-1) in fructan content was observed in bulbs of F2 genetic mapping populations from the wide onion cross 'Nasik Red × CUDH2150'. The microplate enzymatic assay is a reliable and practicable method for onion sugar analysis for genetics, breeding and food technology. Open-pollinated onion populations may harbour extensive within-population variability in carbohydrate content, which may be quantified and exploited using this method. The phenotypic data obtained from genetic mapping populations show that the method is well suited to detailed genetic and physiological analysis.