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Sulphur Effects on Growth Responses and Yield of Onion

Shamima Nasreen
Division of Soil Science and Agronomy, Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute, Joydepur, Gazipur, Bangladesh.

S.M. Imamul Haq
Department of Soil, Water and Environment, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

M. Altab Hossain
Division of Soil Science and Agronomy, Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute, Joydepur, Gazipur, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Field experiments were conducted on a clay loam belonging to Chhiata series of Gray Terrace soil, Gazipur, Bangladesh for three years, from 1995 to 1998, to study the effect of seven levels of sulphur (0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 kg ha^-1) on total dry matter (TDM) accumulation pattern, crop growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate (RGR) at various stages of growth, yield components and bulb yield of onion. The accumulation of total dry matter (TDM) and the pattern of dry matter of onion throughout the experimental period showed considerable variation due to sulphur levels. The rate of TDM production was maximum at 60-75 days after transplanting (DAT) irrespective of sulphur levels. CGR values were increased progressively over time reaching peak at 60-75 DAT and thereafter declined sharply till 105 DAT. RGR from its highest value at early growth stage continued to decrease with crop age. Highest TDM, CGR, RGR, yield parameters and bulb yield were obtained from 45 kg S^-1 along with a blanket dose of 120 kg N, 90 kg P₂O₅, 90 kg K₂O, 5 kg Z ha^-1 plus 5 t cowdung ha^-1. Least TDM and bulb yield were recorded for control recorded for control treatment. Application of 45 kg S ha^-1 also produced marketable bulbs of 50 g size while 71% of the bulbs were of < 15 g size in the control plots.

Keywords: Growth index, Sulphur fertilizer, Yield, Onion

Location: Chhiata series of Grey Terrance Soil, Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh

Start Date: 00-00-1995

End Date: 00-00-1998

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Onion

Objectives:

To the effect of sulphur on dry matter production and their distribution into different plant parts, growth characteristics and yield of onion.

Methodology:

Field experiments were carried out on a clay loam belonging to Chhiata series of Grey Terrance Soil, Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh during the rabi (winter) season of 1995-96, 1996-97 and 1997-98. Averaged over years, the pH of the experimental soil is 6.0 with low contents of total nitrogen (0.035%), available phosphorus (7 μg mL^-1), available sulphur (10 μg mL^-1), potassium (0.15 meq 100^-1 g soil), zinc (1 μg mL^-1) and boron (0.1 μg mL^-1), respectively. The total rainfall during the crop season was 104 mm in 1995-96, 131 mm in 1996-97 and 122 mm in 1997-98. Seven levels of sulphur fertilizer 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 kg ha^-1, were used as treatment variables. The experiment was set up in RCB design with four replications. The unit plot size 3 x 3 m. Fertilizers at the rate of 120 kg N from urea, 90 kg P₂O₅ from triple super phosphate (TSP), 90 kg K₂O from muriate of potash (MP) and 5 kg Zn from zinc oxide were used as blanket dose. Sulphur fertilizer was used in the form of gypsum (calcium sulphate) as per treatment. Besides, cowdung was applied at the rate of 5 t ha^-1. Full doses of TSP, MP, gypsum, zinc oxide, cowdung and 1/3 of urea were applied at final land preparation. Healthy and disease free 55 days old seedlings of onion (cv. Faridpuri) were transplanted on 20 Dec in 1995, 22 Dec in 1996 and 23 Dec in 1997 at a spacing of 20 x 10 cm. The remaining 2/3rd urea were applied in two equal installments at 21 and 40 days after transplanting (DAT) followed by irrigation. Three irrigation was given to the crop at 21, 40 and 70 DAT. Destructive plant were sampled periodically at 15 day intervals starting from 30 days of emergence to maturity to determine dry matter accumulation. At each sampling, five plants from each plot were harvested and separated into leaf, pseudostem and bulb. The segmented plant parts were dried with at 70°C to a constant weight and final dry weight was taken. The crop was harvested each year in the second week of April when the tips turned yellowish. The harvested bulbs were then selected from each plot for diameter and single bulb weight. The size grade distribution into bulbs were done into four categories viz. <15 g, 15-30 g 30-50 g and 50 g and the number of bulbs in each size grade was recorded. The results were finally expressed as percent basis. Data thus collected were subjected to analysis of variance and means were compared Duncan New Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Crop growth rate (CGR) and relative growth (RGR) were calculated.

Source of Information: Asian Journal of Plant Sciences, 2(12): 897-902, 2003; ISSN 1682-3974

Article Link (Online Journal): http://scialert.net/fulltext/?doi=ajps.2003.897.902&org=11

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The results of three years study revealed that sulphur is necessary to ensure better growth and productivity of onion. Application of 45 kg S ha^-1along with a blanket dose of 120 kg N, 90 kg P₂O₅, 90 kg K₂O and 5 kg Zn plus 5 ton cowdung ha^-1 in Grey Terrance soil might be optimum for maximizing dry matter production, large size bulb and thereby increase the yield of onion.

Knowledge Management: Journal