Yield and Quality of rabi Onion (Allium cepa L.) Influenced by Integrated Nutrient Management

Abstract

The field experiment was conducted to access the effect of inorganic fertilizers, organic manures and bio-fertilizers on yield and quality of rabi onion (Allium cepa L.) during rabi season. The experiment comprised of 36 treatment combinations and replicated three times, was laid out in split-plot design with three fertility levels (0, 75 and 100% of recommended dose of NPKS) and three treatments of organic manures (control, FYM @ 20 t ha-1 and poultry manure @ 5 t ha-1) were applied in main plots. Four bio-fertilizers (No inoculation, PSB inoculation, Azospirillum inoculation and PSB + Azospirillum inoculation) were applied in sub plots. The two year results of the study have clearly showed that application of inorganic fertilizers up to 75% RDF significantly increased all the yield parameters (fresh weight of bulb and bulb yield) and quality attributes (total soluble solids, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur and allyl propyl disulphide content in bulb). Similarly, application of poultry manure @ 5 t ha-1 significantly increased all the yield parameters and quality attributes of onion. The significantly maximum values for yield parameters and quality attributes achieved on combined inoculation with PSB + Azospirillum. Further it may be concluded that application of 75% RDF of NPKS, poultry manure @ 5 t ha-1 and PSB + Azospirillum is worth recommendable for farmers to get significantly better yield and quality of rabi onion.