Integrated nutrient management for higher yield, quality and profitability of onion (Allium cepa)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during rabi seasons of 2008-09 and 2009-10 at Lakhaoti, Bulandshahr (UP) to study the effect of integrated use of inorganic fertilizer with FYM on yield, uptake of nutrients and economics of onion (Allium cepa L.). The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with ten treatments and three replications. The results revealed that the bulb diameter, scale leaves/bulb, fresh weight of bulb, specific gravity of bulb and bulb yield increased significantly with 150% RD of NPK over control. All the parameters further increased when 10 tonnes FYM/ha was added along with 100% NPK. An additional bulb yield of 2.2 tonnes/ha was realized with 100% NPK + 10 tonnes/ha over 100% NPK alone. Application of 100% NPK + 10 tonnes FYM + 6 kg Zn + 20 kg S/ha produced bulb (36.95 tonnes/ha) and dry matter yield (5.66 tonnes/ha) of onion which was superior to 150% NPK alone (34.08 and 5.22 tonnes/ha). The maximum gross return (Rupees 234 902.5 tonnes/ha), net returns (Rupees 171 085.1/ha) B: C ratio (2.67) and protein yield (368 kg/ha) were obtained with combined use of 100% NPK + FYM + Zn + S. However, the maximum protein content (6.6%) was recorded with 150% NPK application. The uptake of N, P, K, S and Zn by onion bulbs was found to be associated with production of dry matter resulted by the addition of 100% NPK + FYM + Zn + S. The results indicated that combined use of 100% NPK and FYM enriched with Zn and S was the most appropriate nutrient management for higher productivity and profitability of onion.