Effect of quality seed and improvement of cultivation technology to increase the yield of shallots (Allium cepa L. Var. Aggregatum)

Abstract

Shallots are important horticultural commodities that have high economic value in Indonesia.One of the efforts to increase the yield of shallots is the use of quality seeds supported by improvement cultivation technology. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of seed sources and cultivation technology that can produce the best growth and yield of shallots. The field research was carried out in the village of East Penfui. Kupang Regency, in May–October 2021. The design used was a split plot and 3 replications. The main plot is the source of seeds used by farmers (Super Philip F5 Variety, Semau 1 Local Variety and Super Philip F3)and sub-plots are cultivation technology (farmers and Good Agricultural Practices/GAP). Results of research showed, the interaction of Semau 1 Local variety seed source and GAP technology had significantly affect on plant growth rate, bulbs weight/plant, yield/plot and productivity. GAP technology provides higher growth and yields compared to farmer technology. Semau 1 Local variety has the highest tissue N content, bulbs weight/plant, yield/plot and productivity compared to Super Philip F5 and Super Philip F3 varieties. The Semau 1 Local variety and GAP technology applied together can increase the yield and productivity of shallots by 45-59%.