Effect of intra-row spacing on yield and quality of some onion varieties (Allium cepa L.) at Aksum, Northern Ethiopia

Abstract

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.

Growth and Yield Response of Shallot (Allium cepa var. aggregatum) Varieties to Intra-Row Spacing in Eastern Amhara, Ethiopia

“…Dz-sht-157-1B and Dz-sht-91-2B varieties produced the longest plants than Yheras Table 1. In line with the present findings, Yemane, et al [11] found significant genotypic variation in plant height. Furthermore, Tegbew [25] indicated the mean plant height of Adama Red (62.25 cm) cultivar was significantly higher than Bombay Red (56.04 cm).…”

“…In agreement with this result, Fikadu [23] obtained the longest plant height (27.28 cm) of shallot at intra-row spacing of 15 cm followed by 24.65 cm with the spacing of 20 cm; while the shortest plants (22.66 cm) at 10 cm intra-row spacing. Moreover, results are also in agreement with the findings of Yemane, et al [11] and Sara, et al…”

“…The higher leaf number per plant recorded at 20 cm intra-row spacing might be attributed to the fact that, plants widely spaced experienced little or no competition for limited environmental resources compared to closely spaced plants. In accordance with the result, Yemane, et al [11] reported that reported that increasing plant competition significantly decreases leaf number. The authors further justified that when intra-row spacing increases, the number of plants per unit area decrease, resulted in less competition for mineral nutrients, light and moisture leading to vigorous growth, possibly increasing leaf number per plant.…”

“…The varietal difference could be due to the inherent genetic variability of the crop. In line with this, Yemane, et al [11] reported variations in days to maturity among onion varieties.…”

Mode of inheritance and AMMI analysis of onion (Aallium cepa L.) bulb traits

“…Yield is a very complex trait that can be impacted by genetic base and agro/ecological adaptation (PAVLOVIĆ et al, 2002), composition of growth media (SUTHAMATHY and SERAN, 2011), planting date (HAMMA, 2013), degree of plant population (KAHSAY et al, 2013), fertilization (BRDAR JOKANOVIC et al, 2011) etc. Yield is a very complex trait due to gene action and interaction with the environment, i.e., different reactions of genotypes on changeable environmental conditions (MARJANOVIĆ JEROMELA et al, (2011).…”