Optimum rate of NPS fertilizer for economical production of irrigated onion (Allium cepa L) in Dembyia District of Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Onion is one of the most important vegetable crops grown under irrigation in Amhara Region. Application of fertilizer is an important input to increase yields of vegetables including onion where its rate mostly depends on the fertility status of the particular soil. The present study was initiated with the objective to identify the optimum rate of the newly introduced NPS fertilizer for maximum bulb yield of onion under irrigated smallholder farming system. The study was conducted in Dembyia District during the 2014/2015 irrigation season. Twelve NPS fertilizer rates were laid down on Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications to identify the optimum rates of NPS where maximum yield of Adama Red onion variety can be obtained. The results of the experiment revealed that most of the growth and yield parameters of onion were significantly affected by NPS fertilizer. The longest plant height (60.1 cm) was recorded when N:P 2 O 5 :S was applied at the rate of 73.5:92:16.95 kg ha -1 , respectively. The longest (51.1cm) and widest (1.44 cm) onion leaves were recorded on plants where N:P 2 O 5 :S was applied with 136.5:119.6:22 kg ha -1 . Onion plants supplied with 105:119.6:22 kg ha -1 N:P 2 O 5 :S fertilizer rate gave the highest mean bulb weight (198.8 g), marketable yield (20.8 ha -1 ) and total bulb yield (21.4 t ha -1 ). Similarly, onion plants supplied with 105:119.6:22 kg ha -1 N:P 2 O 5 :S fertilizer rate recorded the highest marginal rate of return followed by those onion plants supplied with 105: 92:16.95 kg ha -1 . Onion plants which were not supplied with NPS fertilizer showed generally lower growth and yield parameters. Application of NPS fertilizer at the rate of 105:119.6:22: kg ha -1 N:P 2 O 5 :S can be recommended for economical production of onion in the study area.

Effect of N : P : K (15 : 15 : 15) on the Growth of Punica granatum L. Seedlings

“…e increase in the growth parameters of P. granatum with increase in the amount of nitrogenous fertilizer is in line with the works of Khalid and Shedeed [14] who explained that the application of the nitrogenous fertilizer coupled with foliar nutrition significantly improved the growth of Nigella sativa. Working with Allium cepa within the Amhara region of Ethiopia, similar observation was reported [15], stating that the application of a nitrogenous (NPS) fertilizer improved the overall growth parameters (number of leaves, leaf area, and height of plants) of the plant between 0.09 g NPK kg −1 soil and 0.13 g NPK kg −1 soil compared to the control experiment. ese improvements of the growth parameters of the plant, P. granatum, due to NPK application could be traced to the essential functions, and these elements serve in cellular enzyme activation [6,14] and the synthesis of proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, chlorophylls [5], and ATP [7].…”

Effect of Fertilization with Mineral NPK and Spraying with Nano NPK on Growth, Yield and Quality of Onion

“…(16.00 and 16.46 t/fed), while application of 25% of mineral NPK gave lowest values (12.68 and 13.64 ton/fed), in the first and second seasons respectively. Similar results were reported by Tekeste et al,(2018) and Nigatu et al,(2018) who reported that onion plants supplied with 105:119.6:22 kg ha-1 N:P2O5:S fertilizer rate gave the highest mean marketable yield (20.8ton ha-1).…”

Combined application of compost and FYM with inorganic fertilizers for production of onion in debub ari district, Southwestern Ethiopia

“…Significantly lower bulb diameter observed in the control plot, whereas statistical difference was not observed between all fertilizer treatments. In line with this (Nigatu et al, 2018) and (Gebremichael et al, 2017) reported that bulb diameter measured from non-fertilized plots was lowest compared to the plots treated by integrated application inputs.…”

“…Despite this, productivity of the crop remains low 10.02 t ha -1 (FAO, 2012). The average annual onion production in Ethiopia is about 230,745.2 tons with the productivity of about 9.5 t ha -1 (Nigatu et al, 2018). In Ethiopia, onion is very important in the food interest and in daily stews as well as in different vegetable food preparation uses.…”