This research was performed for a period of three years to determine the effect of natural seed ageing on different physiological and biochemical changes in three extensively cultivated onion cultivars in Northern India. Seed storage studies showed that germination percent, seed viability and other seed quality parameters decreased significantly with increasing storage time. The onion seed can be stored for a maximum period of one year under ambient conditions to maintain required germination percentage (>70%). Overall, Hisar Onion-4 stored better when compared to Hisar Onion-3 and Hisar-2. As the ageing progressed the seed antioxidants, namely superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), dehydrogenase (DHA) and peroxidase (POD) decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in all cultivars whereas, the electrical conductivity (EC) of seed leachates increased significantly. Under the field conditions, seedling establishment percent (SE) onion seed was positively correlated (R2 = 0.98; p < 0.05) with germination percent (GP). Overall, more than one year period of seed storage was associated with poor germination and seedling establishment potential in onion.

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Evaluation of garlic (Allium sativum L.) genotypes for yield and yield attributing traits under semi arid zone of Haryana (Hisar)

The field trials were conducted during rabi season 2012-13 to 2014-15 at Vegetable Research Farm, CCS HAU, Hisar, India to evaluate the response of sulphur sources (gypsum and elemental sulphur) and doses (0, 15, 30 and 45 kg/ha) on yield, quality, storability as well as economic returns of onion (Allium cepa L., cv. 'Hisar Onion-4'). Across different sulphur sources and levels, bulb yield increased by 7.02 to 16.66% as compared to those of the plants that received no sulphur. Application of gypsum at 30 kg/ha resulted in the highest bulb yield (245.34 q/ha), benefit cost ratio (2.43) and relatively lesser physiological loss of weight (20.34%), rotting (8.32%) and sprouting (15.24%), but was not significantly different with sulphur applied at 45 kg/ha. The maximum uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur was also observed in bulbs treated with 30 kg gypsum/ha. Sulphur in the form of gypsum at 30 kg/ha may be recommended for better nutritional status and economic return of onion crop under sandy loam soil conditions.