Improvement of shallot flowering (Allium cepa var.ascalonicum) of Bauji variety in the lowland area of Jember through vernalization and GA₃ concentrations

Abstract

Usage of true shallot seed (TSS) can increase onion production. TSS production in the lowlands is still an obstacle by suboptimal flowering of shallots propagated through seed tubers. There are several varieties of shallots that have not been successfully flowered. The treatments of vernalization and administering GA3 are expected to stimulate the flowering of Bauji variety. The purpose of this study was to improve the flowering of the onion varieties of Bauji in the Jember lowlands (89 m asl). The study was conducted from June to October 2019. The study used a factorial completely randomized block design (CRBD), namely vernalization as the first factor and GA3 concentration as the second factor with four replications. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance and continued with the Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at α 5% level. The results showed that independently, vernalization had a significant effect on the parameters of the time the umbel appeared, the percentage of flowering plants, and the number of umbles per plant. Also, vernalization treatment had significantly affected the parameters of the number of flowers per umbel, the number of capsules per umbel, and the percentage of capsule formation per umbel.

Initiation of Flowering and Bulbils in Shallot with Various Treatments in Tropical Regions

“…Induction of shallot flowering was successfully carried out by vernalization at 10C for four weeks in the plains. However, based on the results of research by Siswadi et al (2020) that shallots are still difficult to flower in the lowlands after being vernalized, the combination of vernalization and GA3 treatment has a significant effect on shallot flowering.…”

“…The red bottom is difficult to flower and bulbils are formed in tropical areas such as Indonesia. This is because shallots are long-day plants that require irradiation of > 12 hours (Siswadi et al, 2020) and the initiation of flowering requires low temperatures (Dianawati et al, 2021). In sub-tropical countries, bulbils can naturally form.…”