Total Bulb Yield Research Articles

Determination of Optimal Balanced Fertilizer Rate and Irrigation Scheduling for Onion Under Vertisol Soil Type

Onion is one of vegetable crops grown under irrigation. In order to improve crop production and productivity irrigation is the only solution for contributing towards food security, self-sufficiency and export market.. The Experiment was conducted in Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center with determination of optimal balanced fertilizer rate and irrigation scheduling for Onion under Vertisol soil type to determine the optimum rate of balanced fertilizers and irrigation intervals and identify the interactive effect of nutrient and moisture levels on yield and yield quality of onion.The experimental treatments had three irrigation intervals, viz., 80%MAD, 100%MAD and 120%MAD and three Fertilizer rates of application, viz., 100kgha -1 NPSB, 150kgha -1 NPSB and 200kgha -1 , and a control fertilizer rate of 100kgha -1 urea. The design of the experimental plot was split plot in RCBD arrangement. The experimental study result showed that Crop Growth and Physiology Parameters, Yield Parameters and Water productivity had no significance difference under blended fertilizer rate application. But in irrigation intervals plant height, marketable yield and total bulb yield of onion was significantly affected. The highest total bulb yield of onion was recorded on the control irrigation (100% MAD) of the interval. Keywords: Blended fertilizer, Onion, Manageable Allowable Depletion (MAD), Irrigation Scheduling. DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/14-4-02 Publication date: February 28 th 2023

Evaluation of short day local and exotic onion genotypes

Onion is one of the important spices of daily dishes in Bangladesh and are shortage in production of the crop. Due to high photosensitivity in onion, only short-day types are suitable for cultivation in the particular agroclimatic condition of the country. But lack of high yielding potentiality in the existing cultivar along with limited variability within the available germplasm is the major drawback in onion production. To mitigate the problem, the present investigation was done to identify suitable short-day onion genotypes at the Regional Spices Research Centre, BARI, Gazipur during rabi 2018-19 and 2019-20. Twenty-nine local and exotic short-day onions were evaluated including two local checks BARI Piaz-1 and BARI Piaz-4. δ2p and PCV was higher than δ2g and GCV in almost all the traits studied and higher heritability (h2b) was observed for total bulb yield. Significant variations were found in morphological and physiological traits for bulb production. Considerably higher bulb length and diameter were found from Ac_G_18_379, Ac_B_18_413, Ac_B_18_420, Ac_B_18_428, BARI Piaz-4, Ac_B_18_419 and Ac_B_18_417. Minimum bulb splitting (%) and bolting (%) were obtained from the genotypes Ac_G_18_379, Ac_G_18_381, Ac_B_18_413 and BARI Piaz-4. Higher dry matter content was noted for the genotypes BARI Piaz-4 (17.9 %), Ac_B_18_425 (21.73 %) and Ac_G_18_384 (21.57 %) along with the TSS ranged from 10.5 to 17.780Brix. The maximum bulb yield was obtained from the genotype Ac_B_18_413 (20.69 t/ha), followed by Ac_G_18_383 (20.6 t/ha), Ac_B_18_419 (18.48 t/ha) and Ac_B_18_417 (18.2 t/ha). These genotypes could be recommended for commercial cultivation as well as to use in future onion breeding program. Bangladesh J. Agri. 2022, 47(2): 27-43

Temperatura de vernalização e ponto de maturação de bulbilhos-sementes na produtividade e qualidade do alho

ABSTRACT Brazilian producers have been seeking to improve garlic productivity and quality via vernalization at negative temperatures. However, more concrete information about the application and effects of this technique on the productivity and quality of noble garlic varieties is lacking. Moreover, there are also questions about the use and influence of seed cloves at different maturation points on this crop’s yield. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of vernalization temperatures and different maturation points of seed cloves on the yield and quality of noble garlic cultivars. Three experiments were conducted using the Ito cultivar over three garlic planting seasons in Cristalina, GO, Brazil. The experimental design followed a 3 x 3 factorial scheme: three vernalization temperature ranges (-1 to -3 °C; 1 to 3 °C; and 2 to 4 °C) and three seed clove maturation points (normal, early and late). Plant height, aboveground fresh mass, bulbar ratio, and bulb yield and quality were evaluated after harvesting. The negative vernalization temperature had significant results with the highest garlic yields occurring in all three planting seasons, with a considerable increase in the quantity of bulbs with better commercial value (‘class 6’) and a decrease in the quantity of ‘discard’ bulbs. In comparison to the other temperatures, negative vernalization temperatures also yielded higher fresh plants in all evaluated seasons. The normal maturation point resulted in gains in total bulb yield. The use of below-zero vernalization temperatures increased the productivity of the garlic cultivar Ito under the conditions found in Brazil.

Growth and bulb yield of onion (Allium cepa L.) varieties as influenced by NPS fertilizer in Western Ethiopia

Onion is main crops in Ethiopian regular nutrition, cultivated year round under rain-fed and irrigated conditions. The low productivity of onion crops in Ethiopia as compared to other onion producing countries was due to disease, insect pest, lack of improved varieties, lower use of improved varieties and improper agronomic practices. A field experiment was conducted at Dambi Dollo University, Ethiopia for two consecutive years (2020 and 2021) under rain-fed to evaluate effect of NPS fertilizer rates on performance of onion varieties. The experiment was laid out using Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications in factorial mixture of four levels of NPS fertilizer (0, 50, 100, 150 kg ha-1) and three varieties (Adam Red, Monarch and Nafis). Variance Analysis indicated that NPS fertilizer and varieties were expressively affected days to 90% physiological maturity, marketable and unmarketable yield and total bulb yield of onion crop but not significantly influenced by their interaction. The number of leaves per plant and plant height were significantly influenced by main effect of varieties, NPS fertilizer rates and their interaction. The highest values for number of leaves per plant (16.08) recorded at 150 kg ha-1 for Monarch variety. Moreover, days to 90% physiological maturity (134.8 days) and total bulb yield (29.35 t ha-1) were recorded from the highestNPS application rate of 200 kg ha-1. Similarly, the maximum plant height (16.08 cm) and marketable onion bulb yield (26.41 t ha-1) were obtained from 150 kg ha-1 NPS rate. Hence, based the highest marketable onion bulb yield gained, Nafis variety of onion and 150 kg ha-1 of NPS fertilizer should be advised for production in the western part of Oromia, Ethiopia and other areas with similar agro-ecological conditions.

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.

Onion (Allium cepa L.) Performance as Influenced by Manure and Fertilizer in Titanium Mined Soils

Mining is an important economic activity that promotes income generation, job creation, and industrialization globally. In spite its economic importance, it is classified as land degradation form that disrupts natural ecosystem through loss of biota and soil health. Paucity of information regarding the performance of reclaimed mined soils in supporting crop production abound in Kenya. To contribute to this knowledge gap, a study was conducted at Base titanium limited -Kwale to investigate the response of performance of bulb onions (red creole onion variety) to farmyard manure and inorganic fertilizer application on post mined soils. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates Treatments included: inorganic fertilizer, farmyard manure, inorganic fertilizer +farmyard manure and control. Obtained data that included: soil characterization, onion growth and yield parameters was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using R packages and means separated using the Fisher’s protected least significant difference (LSD) at (P≤0.05). Results showed that the soils had low TN, exchangeable P, K, S, Bo and Cu levels. Manure+ fertilizer significantly (P≤0.05) increased plant height by 38%, bulb diameter by 44%, neck thickness by 19.5% total bulb yield by 89% and marketable yield by 88% compared to control. A significant positive relationship between manure, fertilizer, fertilizer+ manure with plant height, number of leaves, bulb diameter, neck thickness and total yield was observed indicating that manure + fertilizer can support optimal onion production in these post mined soils. Further research is however, required to ascertain production approaches that promote sustainable soil development and onion yield.

Effect of different crop management practices for better economic returns from Kharif onion

The present study was undertaken at the Agricultural Research Substation, Sumerpur-Pali to find out the effect of different fertilizer levels and crop geometry on kharif onion (Allium cepa L.) production. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with NPKS levels as main plot and crop geometry as subplot with three replications. Spacious crop geometry with highest dose of fertilizer (15 cm x 15 cm + 140 N: 80 P: 80 K: 40 S kg ha-1) produced maximum plant height (98.20 cm), leaves plant-1 (20), bulb polar diameter (79.34 mm), equatorial diameter (85.10 mm), bulb weight (137.44 g) and harvest index (51.30) with huge quantity of split/multiplier bulbs (6.54 t ha-1). Marketable yield (43.71 t ha-1), gross return (` 5.25 lakhs), net return (` 4.25 lakhs) and B: C ratio (4.25) were higher in the closer crop geometry (10 cm x 10 cm) with highest dose of fertilizer, whereas maximum biological yield (126.75 t ha-1) and total bulb yield (61.60 t ha-1) were reported in the closest spacing with highest dose of fertilizer (7.5 cm x 7.5 cm + 140 N: 80 P: 80 K: 40 S kg ha-1), which also produced the highest quantity (28.69 t ha-1) of unmarketable bulbs. It is concluded that for maximum production of better quality of kharif onion bulb, the seedlings should be planted at 10 cm x 10 cm spacing with the highest level of fertilizer dose (140 N: 80 P: 80 K: 40 S kg ha-1).

Evaluation of Water Productivity under Furrow Irrigation for Onion (Allium cepa L.) Crop

Irrigation water management practices are the main strategies to improve water productivity. This research work was focused to study the performance of alternate and paired row furrow irrigation systems at three levels of irrigation (100%, 75%, and 50% of crop evapotranspiration) using different water productivity indicators for onion crops. The experiment had six treatments and replicated three times to evaluate the analysis of variance in SAS software. Water productivity indicators like crop water use efficiency, field water use efficiency, and field water expense efficiency were determined through bulb yield and water which were used by the crop. The crop yield was expressed as the total yield of onion bulbs, and crop water use was expressed as crop evapotranspiration (ETc), gross depth of irrigation, and water expense. The estimated maximum values of crop water use efficiency, field water use efficiency, and field water expense efficiency were 11.941, 16.152, and 9.361 kg m−3, respectively, for paired row furrow irrigation with 50% ETc. The performance of the paired row furrow irrigation system in crop yield and water use was better as compared to the alternate furrow irrigation system at all levels of irrigation.

PRODUÇÃO E RENDIMENTO DA CEBOLA SOB DIFERENTES MANEJOS HÍDRICO E NUTRICIONAL

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different irrigation depths applied by drip system and nitrogen fertilization levels that promote higher yield and water use efficiency in onion (Allium cepa L.). The treatments consisted of five irrigation depths (50; 75; 100; 125; 150% of crop evapotranspiration), applied by drip system, combined with five nitrogen fertilization rates (0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 kg ha−1), in a 5 x 5 factorial scheme, in a randomized block experimental design, with four replicates. Irrigation depths estimated at 120.2% and 77.81% of crop evapotranspiration promoted higher yield and water use efficiency for total yield of onion bulbs, respectively. Nitrogen dose of 160 kg ha−1 promoted maximum total yield and water use efficiency.

Evaluation of foliar insecticides for the control of Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on onion field

Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is the main pest of onion. Chemical control is the most adopted method for this pest, however, there are few efficient products registered for thrips control in onion. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of six insecticides (abamectin + thiamethoxam, formetanate hydrochloride, spinetoram, fenitrothion + esfenvalerate, imidacloprid and thiacloprid) were tested for the control of onion thrips T. tabaci on onion in Itajaí Valley, SC during 2020. The insecticides were sprayed eight times at intervals of about seven days, we evaluated the number of nymph of thrips per plant 24 hours after two consecutive sprays and total onion bulb production. Significant differences were observed between various insecticides evaluated. The treatments formetanate hydrochloride and spinetoram proved the best thrips control however spinetoram did not differ from abamectin + thiaclooxam, fenitrothione + esfenvalerate and imidacloprid. Total bulb yield was higher for spinetoram, formetanate hydrochloride, abamectin + thiamethoxam and imidacloprid.

Genetic variability, character association and path analysis for different traits in white onion genotypes under short day condition

Aim: To estimate the nature and magnitude of genetic diversity of white onion genotypes. Methodology: The experiment was carried out for two consecutive years (2018-19 and 2019-20) at ICAR-DOGR, Pune. Thirty-five genotypes of white onion identified as low and high TSS genotypes were used to study their genetic variability, character association, path analysis and genetic diversity for different morphological and biochemical traits. Results: Significant differences were observed among all the genotypes. High expression of GCV over PCV was recorded for percentage double indicating lesser influence of environment. The broad sense heritability values were higher (60%) for all the characters under study ranging from 62.10% in days to 75% neck fall to 98.38% in total sugar. Plant height, leaf length, polar diameter and equatorial diameter exhibited significant positive correlation with total bulb yield. Genotypic path analysis showed that leaf length (cm) had maximum positive direct effect on total bulb yield followed by equatorial diameter, total sugar and total pyruvic acid of bulb. Interpretation: Considering the cluster distance and cluster means for bulb yield quality traits and morphometric traits three genotypes viz., Bhima Shweta, Bhima Shubra from cluster III and WHTB-7G-GT-15-SC-M-7 Small Bulb from cluster II were good candidates for utilization in breeding programs. Genotypes belonging to cluster I WHTS-4D-GT-18-MC-M-7 (18.49%), WHT-2B-GT-18-SC-M-7 (18.51%), WHTB-3C-GT-18-MC-M-7 (18.27%) and WHT-12L-HT-15-REJECT-M-7 (18.02%) can be utilized as high TSS donors in quality improvement programmes. This study also indicated that, direct selection of leaf length and equatorial diameter will be beneficial in framing yield improvement programme.

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.

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

Duration of of Low-Temperature Storage, Clove Topping and Gibberellic Acid on Emergence, Yield and Yield Components of Garlic.

Dormancy of freshly harvested garlic cloves does not allow early emergence, and preplanting garlic clove treatment is critical for more than one cycle of production in a year. This field experiment was conducted to assess the effect of treating cloves on emergence, growth, and yield of “Tseday” variety during the main cropping season of 2014/2015 and off-season of 2015/16 at Haramaya University. The experiment was arranged in a factorial combination of four (cold stored at 7°C for the duration of 10, 20, and 30 days and stored at room temperature 21°C for 30 days as control), two (whole and topped clove), and four GA3 treatment at concentration of 0, 125, 250, and 375 mg/l and distilled water treatment as second control laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. The three main factors (clove type, cold storage duration, and GA3) and growing season showed significant influence on phenology, growth, bulb yield and yield components, and all size categories of cloves, while GA3 showed nonsignificant effect on days to emergence of cloves. Clove type interacted with cold storage duration and GA3, and cold storage duration interacted with GA3 significantly to influence all characters of the variety. In addition, the growing season also interacted with clove type and GA3 to influence all categories of clove size, bulb diameter, average bulb weight, and total bulb yield. The three main factors (clove type × cold storage duration × GA3) interaction significantly influenced all characteristics of the variety. However, 30 days of cold-stored and topped cloves reduced dormancy period and days to maturity by 18.84 and 19.50 days, respectively, and increased total bulb yield by 70.32% as compared to the control treatment. In addition, this treatment combination significantly increased most of the growth and bulb yield components, while the number and weight of small-sized cloves were decreased. Hence, it can be concluded that 30 days of cold storage and topping of cloves without soaking under GA3 could be recommended to enhance early emergence, good vegetative growth, and total bulb yield of the garlic variety both under rain-fed and irrigated conditions.

Combined use of compost, compost tea, and vermicompost tea improves soil properties, and growth, yield, and quality of (Allium cepa L.)

Liquid organic fertilizers are organic solutions that are a valuable choice for sustainable agriculture. In addition, these organic forms play a significant role, in integrated waste management strategies. In this study, a one-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlations and principal component analysis were performed on all traits, to compare the responses of sole application of compost, compost tea, vermicompost tea and their combinations on growth, yield of Allium cepa and on soil properties. The results showed that, in most cases with fertilizers treatments, the soil pH, CaCO3 and bulk density were decreased, while soil organic matter, total N, available P and K were increased. A mixture of 50% compost, 25% compost tea, and 25% vermicompost had more desirable effect on plant height, leaves number, plant fresh weight and plant dry weight. Therefore, application of 50% compost tea and 50% vermicompost tea, it is possible to achieve an acceptable total bulb yield ton/ha, total soluble solids %, and dry matter %. While, available P, K in soil and P % in plant were raised when plants treated with teas sole or combined with compost 50%. Using a mixture of 50% compost, 25% compost tea, and 25% vermicompost tea, was a higher nutrient concentration and had a significant impact on onion plants productivity, and on soil properties.

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.

Effect of PSB and vermicompost on yield and quality of garlic (Allium sativum)

An experiment was conducted at R B S College, Bichpuri, Agra, during winter season of 2019–21 to find out the effect of phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria and vermicompost on yield and quality of garlic. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design having three replications and seven treatments. The treatments were T1 (control), T2 (50% RDF + PSB), T3 (50% RDF + vermicompost), T4 (50% RDF + vermicompost + PSB), T5 (80% RDF + PSB), T6 (80% RDF + vermicompost) and T7 (80% RDF + vermicompost + PSB). The application of 80% RDF + vermicompost + PSB) (T7) recorded significantly maximum plant height (72.4 cm), green leaves/plant, leaf length (60.9 cm), leaf width (1.69 cm), Fresh weight of top (15.60 g), polar diameter of bulbs (5.28 cm), equatorial diameter of bulbs (4.86 cm), neck thickness of bulbs (9.47 mm), highest longest clove (3.62 cm), total bulb yield (155.5 q/ha)dry weight of bulb (19.01 g) and leaves (1.98 g). While, all parameters were recorded minimum in the control.

Correlations between agronomic characters in garlic

Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate the phenotypic correlations between agronomic characters of garlic (Allium sativum) and to carry out the path analysis, using commercial bulb yield as the main character. The experiment was conducted under field conditions in two harvests (2018 and 2019) in the municipality of Diamantina, in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. A total of 13 garlic genotypes were evaluated, of which 11 were experimental and 2 were commercial cultivars. The experimental design used was randomized complete blocks with four replicates. Characters related to plant biometry and bulb yield were evaluated. The phenotypic correlations and the path analysis of the studied characters were carried out. The phenotypic correlations that showed significant positive effects occurred between commercial bulb yield and plant height, bulb diameter, number of commercial bulbs, mean total bulb mass, mean commercial bulb mass, total bulb yield, and number of bulbils per bulb. However, only number of commercial bulbs and bulb diameter had significant effects (direct and indirect) on commercial bulb yield. Therefore, in genotype genetic breeding programs in the studied region, selection should seek a larger diameter of bulbs and a higher number of commercial bulbs to increase commercial yield.

Response of onion crop to bulb set size and planting date under mulching in dry Mediterranean environment

The present pot experiment under open field conditions was conducted to evaluate the response of onion crop to bulb set size and planting date using mulching. Two different sizes of onion sets at planting (large (6-10 g) and small (2-6 g)) and three different planting dates (February, March, and April) with two soil coverings (with and without straw mulching) were tested. Treatments were replicated three times. Onion was not exposed to any drought stress during the course of the experiment.Results indicated that the larger bulb sets which were planted earlier under mulching, maximised the total bulb yield (Yield, 44.0 t ha-1), water use efficiency (WUE, 8.37 kg m-3), and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE, 9.57 kg m-3). Moreover, findings revealed that onion crop appreciably respond to smaller bulb sets when they were planted earlier under mulching. Onion bulb responses were predicted to be linearly increased with the earliness in planting date, with an obvious better preference under mulching and heavier bulb sets. Hence, adopting early planting date with mulching is suggested for sustainable crop production and for enhancing water use efficiency in dry Mediterranean area.