Effects of some management practices on yield and quality of onion (allium cepa l.) sets and the potentiality of onion production from sets

Two field experiments were conducted for two consecutive growing seasons 2004 - 05 and 2005 - 06 seasons to examine the effects of some cultural practices on the production and quality of onion (Allium cepa L.) sets. Another experiment was conducted in 2005-06 season to test the potentiality of onion raised from sets. The experiments were conducted at Shambat Research Station farm. The first experiment tested the effects of a factorial combination of three planting methods (flat, rows 10 and 20 cm apart) and four seed rates (60, 80, 100 and 120 kg ha-I) while in the second experiment the treatments tested comprised a factorial combination of three genotypes (Saggai Improved, Kamleen and Abu Freiwa) and four planting methods (flat, rows 10,20 and 30 cm apart). In both experiments the treatments were arranged in a split - plot design with 4 replications. The third experiment was executed to examine the effects of two varieties (Saggai Improved and Kamleen), two set sizes (large and medium) and two intra - row spacing (10 and 20 cm) on the production of onion raised from sets. The design used was randomized complete block design with 3 replications. Results indicated that the seed rate of 60 kg ha-1 significantly increased leaf number, the vegetative growth and set weight. Higher number and weight of medium and small set sizes, total sets number m-2 and total number and weight of sets ha-1 were realized when higher seed rates of 80, 100 and 120 kg ha-1 were tested. Flat planting increased leaf number, leaves fresh and dry weight and set weight. However, intra - row spacing increased the number and weight of medium-sized sets, total number and weight of sets m-2 and ha-1. The varieties Saggai Improved and Kamleen surpassed the landrace Abu Freiwa which consistently gave the lowest sets yield and quality in both seasons. The results of the experiment on raising onion from sets indicated that large - sized sets increased the total onion yield and percentage by weight bolters. Closer intra - row spacing increased total and marketable onion yield, percentage by weight bolters and the number of plants m-2 and decreased the average marketable bulb weight and percentage by weight doubles