Agricultural Research Management Information System

Home
Research Summary
Search
About Us
- ARMIS
- Brochure
Contact Us
Report
User Request
Data Input
Help
- Operation Manual
  - PDF
  - Video
- Program Area & Commodity
We have reached 37600 number of research entries at this moment.

- Logout

Research Detail

Home
Research
Detail

Effect of Mulch and Different Levels of N and K on the Growth and Yield of Onion

K. S. Islam
Project Co-ordinator
AFIP-Intercooperation, H # 2FNE (D), R#73G, Gulshan-2, Dhaka, Bangladesh

M. H. A. Miah
AFIP-Intercooperation, H # 2FNE (D), R#73G, Gulshan-2, Dhaka, Bangladesh

S. U. Ahmed
Department of Horticulture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of mulch (non-mulch and straw mulch) and different levels of nitrogen (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg ha^-1) and potassium (0, 37.5, 75 and 112.5 kg ha^-1) on the growth and yield of onion. Plants grown with straw mulch gave higher bulb yield (10.89 t ha^-1) which showed 13.79% increase over non-mulch. Nitrogen increased the bulb yield significantly. The highest nitrogen level gave the highest bulb yield (12.13 t ha^-1), which was 41.54% increase over control. Potassium increased bulb yield compared to control, but its different levels had identical results on yield. Nitrogen and mulch together produced significant variations. The Nitrogen at the highest level (120 kg ha^-1) along with straw mulch gave the highest yield (13.31 t ha^-1). Potassium together with mulch also exhibited significant variation on yield and yield components. Plants grown with the highest level of potassium (112.5 kg ha^-1) along with straw mulch gave the highest bulb yield (11.58 t ha^-1). Nitrogen and potassium as 120 kg N ha^-1 × 75.0 kg K ha^-1 gave the highest bulb yield (13.07 t ha^-1). Nitrogen and potassium at their maximum levels with straw mulch gave the highest bulb yield (14.67 t ha^-1).

Keywords: Mulch, Nitrogen, Potassium, Onion

Location: Horticulture Farm of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

Start Date: 00-10-1995

End Date: 00-02-1996

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Onion

Objectives:

To find out the usefulness of straw mulch and optimum requirements of nutrients particularly N and K for bulb production of onion.

Methodology:

The experiment was conducted at the Horticulture Farm of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during October 1995 to February 1996 to observe the effect of mulch (non-mulch and straw mulch) and four different levels of nitrogen (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg N ha^-1) and potassium (0, 37.5, 75 and 112.5 kg K ha^-1) on the growth and yield of onion bulb. The experiment consisting of 32 treatment combinations was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. The land was thoroughly ploughed and incorporated with cowdung and triple superphosphate @ 10 ton and 125 kg ha^-1 respectively. Urea and muriate of potash were used as the sources of nitrogen and potassium, and applies as top dressing in one installment after 15 days of planting. Thirty two treatment combinations were randomly assigned to unit plots in each block. The size of unit plot was 1.2 m × 1.0 m. Small bulbs of (average weight 2.66g) a local onion cultivar ‘Taherpuri’ were planted on 1 November 1995 maintaining a spacing of 25 cm × 15 cm and accommodating 32 plants in each plot. Straw mulching was done after 20 days of planting in the respective plots as per schedule of the layout. Intercultural operations were done as and when required. The crop was harvested on different dates in different plots starting from 7 to 21 February, 96 when 75% of the tops in each plot had fallen over. Ten plants were randomly selected in each plot to record data on different yield contributing characters and bulb yield. The bulb weight was taken after cutting the pseudostem keeping only 2.5 cm with the bulb. Data were statistically analyzed with a computer following MSTAT programme.

Source of Information: Progress. Agric. 21(1 & 2): 39–46, 2010, ISSN 1017-8139

Article Link (Online Journal): http://www.banglajol.info/bd/index.php/PA/article/view/16747/11783

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The combined effect of nitrogen and potassium treatments revealed significant variations in bulb yield and all the yield components except bulb diameter and types of bulb. N₃K₂ combination produced the highest bulb yield (13.07 t ha^-1). The combined effect of mulch, nitrogen and potassium produced significant variation in the number of leaves per plant, pseudostem diameter, root dry matter, individual bulb weight, bulb yield and days to harvest. Plants grown with nitrogen and potassium at their maximum levels (120 kg N ha^-1 × 112.5 kg K ha^-1) with straw mulch showed the highest bulb yield (14.67 t ha^-1).

Knowledge Management: Journal