Effect of transplanting dates, cultivars and zinc on yield and economics of onion in semi-arid conditions in Rajasthan

Abstract

Delayed transplanting and insufficient nutrient application are the major factors for reduced onion yield. Proper planting time is critical for getting optimal bulb yield. Selecting a suitable cultivar is one of the essential variables in getting higher growth and yield attributes for a particular agro-climatic condition. An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of transplanting date, cultivar and zinc application method on yield, yield attributes and economics of onion. Results were significant for all the yield attributes, yield and economics of onion. Transplanting on 01st January significantly increased the average bulb weight (81.10 g), equatorial diameter (5.58 cm), polar diameter (4.52 cm), total bulb yield (387.42 q/ha), net return (Rs 367963/ha) and B:C ratio (3.84) in a pooled analysis. Among the cultivars, significantly higher average bulb weight (79.37 g), equatorial diameter (5.48 cm), polar diameter (4.42 cm), total bulb yield (387.95 q/ha), net return (Rs 368680/ha) and B:C ratio (3.83) were recorded in Bhima Shakti. In zinc application methods, significantly higher average bulb weight (79.68 g), equatorial diameter (5.50 cm), polar diameter (4.42 cm), total bulb yield (386.67 q/ha), net return (Rs 364973/ha) and B:C ratio (3.78) was recorded with foliar spray of zinc sulphate @ 0.5 per cent at 30 & 45 DAT. The reduced neck thickness (0.70, 0.73 & 0.72 cm) was recorded on the 01st January transplanting, Bhima Shakti cultivar and foliar spray of zinc sulphate @ 0.5 per cent at 30 & 45 DAT, respectively.