Performance and Adaptability Evaluation of Improved Onion Varieties (<i>Allium cepa</i> L.) for Bulb Yield and Some Agronomic Traits

Abstract

Onion is one of the most important vegetable crops in the world including Ethiopia. The field experiment was conducted in Arsi zone at Kulumsa Agriculture Research Center and Ziway Dugda districts under irrigation condition. A total of five improved onion varieties were evaluated in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications with the objectives of studying the performance and adaptability of improved onion varieties for bulb yield and yield related traits in 2017 during off season. The combined Analysis of variance (variety by location) revealed that significant difference between improved onion varieties for maturity date, marketable and unmarketable bulb yield tons per hectare, bulb length in centimeter, and bulb weight in gram was observed. But non-significant difference for plant height in centimeter, total bulb yield tons per hectare and average bulb diameter in centimeter were observed between improved onion varieties. Except variety Adama Red all the tested improved onion varieties (Melkam, Nafis, Nasik Red and Bombay Red) was well performed and adapted. These varieties were gave more than 40 marketable bulb yield t ha -1 . So those improved onion varieties were recommended for the study area and areas of similar agro-ecological zones under off season growing condition.

Evaluating the performance of recently released onion (Allium cepa L.) varieties at highland areas of West Hararghe, Ethiopia

“…On the other side, the observable differences among onion varieties regarding plant height results were might be because of genotypic variability among them. In agreement with the report of Zeleke et al (2021) [26] who showed that variation in maturity days among onion varieties might be due to their inherent genetic difference. The reason for the longest (127.25) days to physiological maturity with variety Nasik-Red was could be due to genetic potential of a given variety to cause longest plant height of onion while the production of the shortest (120.75) days to maturity was might be due to its narrow genetic potential to cause the shortest plant height of onion crop.…”

“…Hence, the highest (59.8cm) plant height was recorded from variety Nafis whereas lowest (45.65cm) was obtained from variety Bombay-Red. This result is agreed with the finding of Zeleke et al (2021) [26] who mentioned that the longest plant height was recorded from variety Nafis (65.24 cm).The range between maximum and minimum plant height values was 14.15cm. This is to show that variety Nafis attained the highest plant height with 23.66% increase over variety Bombay-Red.…”

“…Days to physiological maturity results of onion were significantly (p≤ 0.001) influenced by onion varieties (Table 2). This in in line with the finding of Zeleke et al (2021) [26] who reported that the combined analysis of variance showed that improved onion varieties were significantly different in days to physiological maturity. According to report of Kahsayet al…”

“…In agreement with the finding of Tadese et al (2022) who reported that there was significance difference (p≤ 0.05) among varieties for average bulb weight. It is also in line with the finding of Zeleke et al (2021) [26] who mentioned that analysis of variance showed that significant difference between improved onion varieties in relation to average bulb weight in gm. 3).…”

“…It is in line with the report of Gebretsadkan et al (2018) [12] who revealed that improved onion varieties were showed significant difference for plant height. Plant height results were statistically different from one another and ranged from 45.65 -59.8cm.In disagreement with the finding of Zeleke et al (2021) [26] who reported that plant height results were raged from 56.54 to 65.24 cm with a mean of 60.35 cm. In addition, plant height results with related onion varieties were expressed by arranging them in a descending order of values to compare one to another: variety Nafis caused a plant height of 59.8cm, Nasik-Red (50.40cm) and variety Bombay-Red (45.65cm) respectively.…”