Seedling Emergence and Seedling Growth Parameters of Late kharif Onion (Allium cepa L.) in Response to Sowing Dates and varieties in North-East India

Author: Vandna, Sailen Gogoi, Mukesh Kumar, R.K. Jat, Reecha T. Das and Sheetal Rawat

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Abstract

Growing late kharif onion varieties on a specific time has been a major concern for onion growers for continues supply of onion in market especially during November to February and to get high market price. In recent years so many varieties had been developed for late kharif season but their performance in a particular region at a specific time need to evaluate specially in North-East India due to erratic monsoon, cloudy weather, continuous drizzling. This perspective paper presents the response of various onion varieties at different sowing dates in Assam. Research experiment was carried out during the year 2020-21 and 2021-22 at Horticulture Experimental Farm, Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam. The experiment was laid out in factorial Randomized Block Design with five red onion varieties viz., Arka Kalyan, Bhima Dark Red, Agrifound Dark Red, Bhima Super and Bhima Red and three dates of sowing viz., 25th August, 5th September and 15th September which were replicated three times. Results obtained showed that onion varieties, sowing dates and their interactions were significantly different when it comes to the seedling height 25, 30, 35 and 40 DAS, and seedling growth index 25, 30, 35 and 40 days after sowing. The variety Bhima Super sowing at 25th August showed highest plant height (19.25 cm) and maximum seedling growth index (2150.43) after 40 days sowing on pooled analysis, which helps to determine the level of activity and performance of the seed. Vigorous and healthy seeds also perform better in field and can be used as green onions for curries and salad. Days to 50% emergence of onion seedling was not affected by varieties, sowing dates and their interactions.

Keywords

Onion, Bhima Super, Varieties, August, Seedling, Late kharif

Conclusion

From the present study, it was found that the sowing dates, varieties and their interaction showed significant effect on most of the growth parameters of onion plant except days to 50 % seedling emergence. Early sowing D1 (25th August) performed better than other sowing dates. Out of five varieties, Bhima Super (V4) and Bhima Red (V5) exhibited better growth. Among the treatment combinations, D1V4 (Bhima Super on 25th August sowing) was the best in seedling height (19.25 cm) and seedling growth index (2150.43) at 40 days after sowing. These treatment combination offers great potential for healthy and vigorous seedlings production in onion which finally shows better performance in the main field in terms of yield and yield attributing characters. Nutrient and chlorophyll content of the leaves were not investigated in the study. Such study may be conducted in future.

References

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How to cite this article

Vandna, Sailen Gogoi, Mukesh Kumar, R.K. Jat, Reecha T. Das and Sheetal Rawat (2023). Seedling Emergence and Seedling Growth Parameters of Late kharif Onion (Allium cepa L.) in Response to Sowing Dates and varieties in North-East India. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(2): 476-480.