Lack of improved varieties and production practices have been the major bottlenecks of onion production and productivity in Tigray, particularly at Aksum area. There have been no recommended intra-row spacing and variety for that area specifically; rather farmers used to practice non-uniform plant spacing. Thus, a field experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of intra-row spacing, variety and their interactions on yield, shelf life and bulb quality of onion, thereby recommend the optimum practices to farmers in the study area. The study was conducted between August 2010 and April 2011 at Aksum area (L/maichew district). Three different intra-row spacings (5, 7.5 and 10 cm) were evaluated using four varieties of onion ('Adama' Red, 'Bombay' Red, 'Melkam' and 'Nasik' Red) using RCBD replicated four times. Data on yield and quality parameters were recorded and subjected to ANOVA. Results indicate that intra-row spacing of 10 cm was superior in plant height, leaf number per plant, leaf biomass yield, leaf dry matter content and percentage of bolters. Highest total bulb yield was recorded at the closest intra-row spacing (5 cm) followed by 7.5 cm. 'Melkam' variety was the highest yielder, while 'Adama' Red was the lowest yielder. Average bulb weight increased with increasing intra row spacing. 'Melkam' variety followed by 'Bombay' Red variety was superior in average bulb weight. 'Adama' Red recorded the highest unmarketable yield.

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of intra-row spacing and, variety on yield and shelf life of onion. The study was conducted between August 2010 and April 2011 at Aksum area (Laelay Maichew District). Three different intra-row spacings (5, 7.5 and 10 cm) were evaluated using 4 varieties of onion ('Adama' Red, 'Bombay' Red, 'Melkam' and 'Nasik' Red) using randomized complete block design replicated 4 times. Data on yield and shelf life parameters were recorded and subjected to analysis of variance using SAS 9.2 software. The result showed the post harvest deterioration as measured by percentage of marketable loss, total soluble sugars in oBrix and dry matter content (DMC) was less on 'Nasik' Red variety. The largest bulb size, produced by the larger intra-row spacing, showed highest rotting percentage compared to the smaller ones. Average bulb weight loss during storage also was higher at the intra-row spacing of 5 cm than 7.5 cm. Moreover, the result revealed that 'Melkam' and 'Bombay' Red varieties were superior in yield and an intra-row spacing of 7.5 cm can gave good yield bulbs while 'Nasik' Red had best storage quality and 'Melkam' and 'Adama' Red are moderate.

The main reason of low production and productivity is restricted use of inputs, notably improved seeds and fertilizers. Different vegetable seeds are imported which results in different problems like disease outbreak, timely unavailability, costly and so on. The demand of vegetable seed is increasing from time to time. Though vegetable seed production is difficult, there are attempts and efforts to produce at local level. Strengthening of community based seed multiplication is a means to develop the vegetable seed production techniques and business. In order to bring this to practical, demonstration and scaling up activities conducted since 2009 to 2014. Farmers Research Group (FRG) approach was used to implement the research. In 2013 an average yield of 7q/ha of onion seed was recorded while the maximum was 10 q/ha. While in 2014 a maximum yield 16 q/ha was recorded at farmers field. The yield increment might be due to skill development by the farmers. Farmers could get gross income of 24, 000 thousand from a parcel of 300 m 2 land. Thus local seed production practice is technically possible and economically feasible and should be encouraged and promoted by all stakeholders so as to enhance the income and livelihood of farmers.

). Considering fruit size and marketable yield, 60 cm inter row spacing and 30 cm intra row spacing are appropriate for higher marketable fruit yield and better fruit size in Merebleke wereda.