Technical feasibility and economic benefit of combined shallot seedlings techniques in Indonesia

Abstract

One of the important factors in the success of True Seed of Shallot (TSS)-based shallot production is the right seeding technology. The study aimed to obtain appropriate nursery techniques for producing high-quality seedlings to increase shallot productivity. The experiment was conducted in Cirebon Regency, West Java, Indonesia, from May to October 2021, using a factorial randomized block design with three treatment factors and three replications. They consisted of shallot varieties (V) (Trisula, Bima, Lokananta, and Maserati); seedlings age (U) (45 and 60 days); and seedling population density (P) (5, 7.5, and 10 g m−2 of TSS). The results revealed that seedling performance was negatively correlated to the bulb yield and revenue cost ratio (R/C). The use of young seedlings enhanced bulb production and R/C ratio in all varieties but had varied effects on cluster alterations in Maserati, Bima, and Trisula varieties. Young Lokananta seedlings prepared in the nursery at a seed density of 7.5 g m−2 proved to be the best treatment to generate the highest bulb production (39.92 t ha−1) and the highest R/C (3.62). Farmers are expected to implement seedling preparation techniques using young seedlings and managing seed populations in diverse varieties to maximize bulb production and R/C.