Evaluation of Onion Varieties for Productivity Performance in Botswana

Abstract

Onion varieties were evaluated for adaptability to the climatic conditions in Botswana. Six varieties of onion were planted under a complete randomized block design experiment with four replications at farmers' field in Botswana (Southern Africa). The quantitative data on yield of onion varieties and, farmers perception on the varieties were collected. All the varieties were harvested at their maturity (80% tops down) and then graded and weighed into six categories of bulbs: small weight, double weight, thin weight, bolters weight, marketable weight and total weight. Inferential and descriptive statistical methods were used for data analysis where by two ways analysis of variance and ranking scales were applied. It was concluded that all the six varieties namely; Arad, Galil, Hanna, Shahar, Texas Grano 502 P.R.R. and Red Creole contributed differently to the total yield, marketable yield and percentage marketable yield. Onion variety Hanna followed by Shahar produced the highest marketable yield whereas Galil variety gave the lowest marketable yield. Despite the fact that Texas Grano variety produced the highest total yield and has been a common and popular onion variety in Botswana, it was recommended that farmers should not grown Texas Grano variety as it produced the lowest percentage (60%) of marketable yield. Based on the yield performance and the farmer's perception, Hanna followed by Shahar varieties were found to be the best performing onion variety and therefore, government should promote these onion varieties for cultivation in Botswana. Government can import to ensure the availability of Hanna and Shahar varieties so that farmers can be motivated for adoption of these varieties for commercial production. The effects of different planting dates on the yield of onion varieties can be considered for future research.

Genotypic Difference in Growth and Yield Related Traits of Onion (Allium Cepa L.) Varieties at Southern Tigray

“…It contains some important vitamins (A, B, and B2, thiamine, riboflavin and niacin) and minerals (Ca, P, Fe, Cu and Zn) in addition to some soluble sugars and nicotinic acid [6].…”

Competition of onion genotypes in the soil and climatic conditions of Guarapuava, State of Paraná

“…Onion productivity depends on its adaptation to the climatic conditions of the growing region (Baliyan, 2014), which can influence the final bulb mass (Kimura, Okazaki, Yanagida, & Muro, 2014). Besides that, when genetically improved plants have parents that are not adapted to all environmental conditions, they also result in low yield (Alves et al, 2018).…”

“…In production, the choice of cultivar should take into account its climatic requirements, as well as the conditions available at the site where it will be grown, and through the appropriate management to allow the maximum expression of its potential (Menezes Júnior & Vieira Neto, 2012;Baliyan, 2014). Hybrid cultivars have greater productive potential when compared to open pollination cultivars, however, when the breeding program uses parents not adapted to the climatic conditions of cultivation, their yield can be reduced (Alves et al, 2018).…”

Analisis Persepsi Petani Terhadap Penggunaan Benih Bawang Merah Lokal dan Impor di Kabupaten Cirebon, Jawa Barat

“…Hal yang serupa juga terjadi pada penelitian Basuki (2014) yang menunjukkan bahwa pada benih bawang merah lokal varietas Sembrani, walaupun produktivitasnya lebih tinggi dibandingkan varietas Bima Brebes dan unggul dalam hal atribut bentuk umbi, ukuran umbi, dan hasil sebagaimana benih impor, namun petani kurang menyukainya karena atribut aroma, jumlah anakan, dan warna umbinya dibawah rerata sehingga kurang disukai pasar. Selain itu juga menurut penelitian Baliyan (2014) berdasarkan pada persepsi petani di Botswana, varietas bawang merah yang disukai oleh petani selain dilihat dari bentuk dan warna yang menarik, serta hasil panen yang lebih tinggi, juga karena ketersediaan benihnya mudah dan harga benih yang lebih murah.Untuk memperjelas perbandingan tingkat persepsi petani terhadap benih bawang merah lokal dan impor dapat dilihat pada Gambar 3.…”