Variation in various antioxidant biochemicals and morphological traits in kharif onion

Abstract

Eight onion genotypes with different scale colour were studied for yield, and related traits during rainy season. Non-significant differences for the morphological traits and significant differences for bulb quality traits and yield were observed. There was 2.08 and 1.44-fold difference between lowest and highest yielding genotypes for yield and TSS, respectively. Agrifound Dark Red was found superior for yield and total phenols content. Antioxidant activity, as measured by CUPRAC and FRAP, had 1.73- and 3.09-fold difference between highest and lowest performers and ranged between 1.70-2.95 μmol and 0.30-0.93 μmol Trolox/g FW, respectively. Bulb yield had positive association with total phenols content, but negative association with TSS, CUPRAC and FRAP values. No single variety/ selection were found consistently superior for all the traits.