Effect of Sets/Seedlings and Weed Management Practices on Bulb Yield in Kharif Onion

Abstract

Onion occupies an important place in daily diet and is semi-perishable in nature. The production of off-season onion in Kharif season in North Indian plains can stabilize the market supply of fresh onion as well as its price in winter and spring seasons. Keeping this in view, the present investigation was carried out at the experimental farm of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh during 2013 and 2014. Two varieties namely, N-53 and Agrifound Dark Red (AFDR) were evaluated using sets and seedlings following randomized block design in four replications along with Farmer practice (FP). The marketable bulb yield of both the varieties raised through sets was significantly higher than those raised from seedlings during both the years. The higher bulb yield was the result of low mortality of seedlings and improved crop stand which resulted in higher economic returns. In another experiment on weed management practices, pre- emergence application of alachlor and pendimethalin @ 1.00 kg a.i. /ha, respectively along with hand weeding at 40 days after planting resulted in significantly higher bulb yield compared to their sole application. Hence, Kharif onion crop raised through sets of AFDR variety followed by N-53 is better than seedling raised crop under low hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh.