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

Abstract

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 & 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.

Kharif Onion Production in India- Present Status and Future Potential: A Review

“…Sharma (2009) tested onion varieties bred by different institutes for their performance in the low hills of Himachal Pradesh and revealed that Baswant-780 was the top yielder with a mean bulb production of 230.50 q/ha. As reported by Sharma and Jarial (2017) Agrifound Dark Red was found to be the best suited cultivar for kharif onion production in lower hills of Himachal Pradesh. Sharma and Dogra (2017) evaluated four varieties of onion in kharif season which were planted on five dates separated at 10 days intervals starting from 15 th July to 25 th August and they observed highest bulb yield in variety Agrifound Dark Red transplanted on 15 th August.…”

“…However by using scientific techniques like use of high yielding varieties, planting on raised beds, sets planting, making channels to drain irrigation water, using weedicides to control weeds, taking proper plant protection measures farmers can successfully raise kharif onion (Yoo et al 2019;Tripathi and Lawande, 2015;Kandil et al 2013 andLawande et al 2011). Kharif onion production is important in stabilizing onion prices as well as it ensures round the year supply to the consumers (Abd EI-All et al 2012;Sharma and Jarial, 2017). Kharif onion prices are high as compared to rabi crop and hence farmers can earn more benefits by its cultivation (Tripathy et al 2014).…”

“…Maharashtra leads in kharif onion cultivation due to availability of extreme short-day cultivars (viz., N-53, B-780, Phule Samarth, Agri Found Dark Red and local strains) and favorable climatic conditions. To make onion available th roughout the year in In dia kha rif on ion production by farmers need to be prioritized (Sharma and Jarial, 2017). For this main focus should be given on development of new varieties with high yield, diseases and pest resistance, low splitting and bolting and having long shelf life.…”

Effect of Varieties and Planting Time on the Performance of Onion under Tropical Planes of Kerala

“…This was also observed in the current study, wherein lowest neck thickness was noted in Agrifound White (3.66cm). Sharma and Jarial (2017) evaluated different onion varieties and reported a lowest neck thickness in the variety Agrifound Light Red. Similar to the present reports, Mohanta and Mondal (2014) also reported significantly different variations in neck thickness with respect to varieties, planting time and interaction between both.…”

Effect of Planting Dates on the Productivity, Quality and Stemphylium Leaf Blight disease of Some Onion Cultivars Under Nubaria Conditions

“…The highest average yield was observed in variety FDR. On the other hand, Sharma and Jarial (2017) revealed that there was a significant effect of both varieties and transplanting dates. The highest average yield was observed in cultivar AFDR.…”