Available online at www.pelagiaresearchlibrary.

com

Pelagia Research Library

Asian Journal of Plant Science and Research, 2021, 11 (8):264-268

ISSN : 2249-7412
CODEN (USA): AJPSKY

Adaptation and Evaluation of Improved Onion (Allium cepa) Varieties at Arba

Minch, Southern Ethiopia
Gezahegn Fikre*, Awoke Mensa
Department of Agricultural Research, Arba Minch Agricultural Research Center, Arba Minch, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT
Smallholder farmers of are involved in onion production in very small amount. Even if the onion production
techniques generate very high income, productivity is being threatened because of limited introduction of improved
onion varieties. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate yield performance of improved onion varieties
under supplementary irrigation. The treatments consisted of five varieties namely, Adama red (standard check),
Bombay red, Nasik red, Nafis and Robaf using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results
of combined data analysis revealed that the highest fresh bulb weight of 126.4 g and121.8 g was observed in the
Bombay red and Nafis varieties respectively, which differed significantly from standard check. Similarly, the highest
bulb diameter was observed from variety Nafis (20.4 cm. The highest marketable yield per plot was obtained from
variety Bombay red (10.8 kg) which was not significantly differed from other varieties. On the other hand, the
highest total yield (12.13 t/ha) was obtained from variety Bombay red; which however, was statistically at par with
variety Nafis with the total yield of 11.68 t/ha. From the results, Bombay red had better yield performance with the
lowest unmarketable yield. Therefore, variety Bombay red can be used for better production in the study area and
similar agro-ecologies.
Key words: Adaptability; Marketable yield; Performance; Varieties; Yield related traits

Introduction

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is one of the most important vegetables which belong to the family Alliaceae [1]. It is originated
in central Asia between Turkmenistan and Afghan where some of its relatives still grow as wild plants. However, the
leading onion producer countries are China, India, USA and Turkey. It is a recently introduced crop to Ethiopia from
Sudan and then distributed to different parts of the country and now became important vegetable crop for markets
and in a daily life of people of the country [2]. Onion is valued for its distinct pungency or mild-flavored form of
essential ingredients of many dishes. Fresh onion has about 86.6% moisture, 11.6% carbohydrate including soluble
sugars, 1.2%protein, 0.1% fat, 0.2-0.5% Ca, 0.05% P, traces of Al, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn and vitamin A, B and C [3]. It is
consumed universally in small quantities almost daily in many homes primarily as a seasoning for flavoring of dishes
and sandwiches in the world [4]. It has nutritional value that helps alkaline reaction in our body and importance in
neutralizing the acid substance produced during digestion of meat, cheese and other foods [5]. Recently, onion crops
are the most important cultivated crops in the agricultural community of Ethiopia and it is rapidly becoming a popular
vegetable among producer and consumer [4].
According to the Central Statistical Agency (CSA) report, a total of 31,673 hectares of land was under onion cultivation
in the country and productivity was about 9.28 t/ha in Ethiopia. In Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region
(SNNPR) the area covered by onion was 1,297.6 ha and production in quintals was 132,699.7 with the productivity of
10.25t/ha in 2017/18 Meher season. Although the productivity of onion in the SNNPR and Gamo Zone (study area)
is better than the national, it is still by far low as compared to the productivity potential of the crop (23.5-37.2 t/ha).
Low accessibility of improved onion varieties, poor irrigation systems and diseases and insect pests are among the
major constraints that resulted in the low productivity of the crop in the study area. Therefore, there is a need to tackle
these problems by evaluating improved varieties for adaptability and yield performance in the study areas before
264
Pelagia Research Library
Fikre G, et al. Asian J. Plant Sci. Res., 2021, 11(8):264-268

dissemination and large scale production of the varieties. The present investigation was therefore aimed to evaluate
adaptability and yield performance of improved onion varieties in the study areas.

Materials and Methods

Description of the Study Site

Field experiment was carried out at Gamo Zone (Arba Minch Zuria and Mirab Abaya Districts) in 2017 and 2018
cropping seasons under irrigation condition. Mirab Abaya District is located between 6064’N latitude and 37082’E
longitude with an altitude of 1200 m.a.s.l. Average annual rain fall and temperature of the district is 900 mm and 21ºC
respectively. On the other hand, Arba Minch Zuria District is situated in 604’N latitude and 37036’E longitude with
an altitude of 1300 m.a.s.l. The average annual rain fall and temperature of the area range from 1000-1400 mm and
20.1-25ºC respectively.
Experimental Design and Trial Management
In this experiment, five onion varieties namely, Adama red (standard check), Bombay red, Nafis, Nasik red and Robaf
were used as treatments. Treatments were arranged in randomized complete block design with three replications.
Onion seeds were sown in seedbed and grown at the nursery for 50 days. Uniformly grown seedlings were
selected, hardened and transplanted to the experimental field after attaining 13-15 cm height. The seedlings
were transplanted to experimental field having a recommended plot size of 3 m width and 3 m length. During
the experiment, seedlings were planted at 40 × 10 cm between rows and plants, respectively. A spacing of 2 m
was also maintained between replications. Five plants from the middle rows were randomly taken for sampling
and data analysis. Recommended fertilizer rate of 200 kg/ha DAP and 100 kg/ha Urea was applied to each plot.
All appropriate agronomic practices such as weeding, watering and hoeing were conducted uniformly both at
the nursery and experimental field.
Data Collection
Data on establishment percentage, plant height (cm), days to 75% maturity, bulb length (cm), bulb weight (g) bulb
diameter (cm), marketable yield (kg/plot), unmarketable yield (kg/plot) and total yield (kg/ha) were collected and
measured using five randomly selected and pre-tagged plants per plot.
Establishment Percentage, Growth and Phenology Parameters
Number of leaves per plant: Fully developed leaves of five randomly selected plants counted from the middle rows
of the net plot size at physiological maturity, and the average was computed for each plant.
Leaf length (cm): The length of the longest leaves of five randomly selected plants was measured using measuring
tape at physiological maturity and their averages were computed.
Leaf width (cm): It was taken from the widest parts of leaves of five randomly selected plants by using veneer caliper
(model 141) at physiological maturity and the average value was calculated.
Plant height (cm): Plant height was measured from the ground level up to the tip of the longest leaf using a measuring
tape. It was measured using five randomly selected plants from the two central rows of each plot at physiological
maturity of the crop and the average values competed.
Yield Components and Bulb Yield
Bulb length (cm): The vertical average length of matured bulbs of five randomly selected plants in each plot was
measured by veneers caliper.
Bulb diameter (cm): Bulb diameter was measured at right angles to longitudinal axis at the widest circumstance of
the bulb of five randomly selected plants in each plot by using veneer caliper (model 141).
Average bulb weight (g): The average bulb weights of five randomly selected bulbs from the net plot was taken and
calculated as the mean fresh bulb weight after harvesting.
Marketable bulb yield (t/ha): Marketable yield was recorded as kg/plot and converted to t/ha.
Total bulb yield (t/ha): The yield that includes both marketable and unmarketable bulb weight and expressed as
kg per plot and converted into t/ha. Clean, disease free and undamaged bulb with a weight greater than 21 g was
considered as marketable bulb yield.

265
Pelagia Research Library
Fikre G, et al. Asian J. Plant Sci. Res., 2021, 11(8):264-268

Data Analysis
Although the experiment was conducted in only two locations, homogeneity of variance between the locations was
checked using F-test. In this test, the error variance became homogeneous (F-calculated was less than F-table value).
Therefore, we used combined data for analysis and the analysis was employed by using SAS version 9.0 procedures.
Least Significant Difference (LSD) test was used for mean separation at 5% probability level.

Results and Discussion

Analysis of Variance
Analysis of variance revealed that highly significant difference was observed among tested varieties for establishment
percentages (stand count after a month of transplanting and stand count at harvesting), days to 75% maturity and total
yield. Similarly, highly significant difference was observed for all the variables except establishment percentages
between years and locations. But establishment percentages (stand count after one month of transplanting and stand
count during harvesting) showed significant difference (p<0.05 level of probability) while the rest showed non-
significant difference in treatment location interaction.
Establishment Percentage (%)
Stand counts: Stand counts both after one month of transplanting and at harvest were significantly (P>0.001) affected
by varietal difference of the onion. Thus, higher establishment percentage (95.2% and 93.2%) was recorded for Nasik
red and Nafis, respectively. Haile-Selassie et al, reported similar establishment for the same varieties [6]. These
traits can be considered for enhancing production and productivity. On the other hand, the lowest stand count after
transplanting (85.2%) was observed by variety Robaf and lowest stand count at harvest (77.3%) was recorded at
variety Adama red. This result is in agreement with the works of Pardeshi and Waskar [7].
Growth Parameters
Days to maturity: Analysis of variance indicated that days to 75% maturity was significantly (at P<0.001) influenced
by the varieties. Variety Robaf showed the shortest days to 75% maturity (137 days) while varieties Nafis and Nasik
red required non- significantly less number of days to attain maturity compared to the remaining varieties. The probable
reason for early maturity of varieties might be enhanced transfer of photosynthetic materials from the leaves to bulbs
that enhancing the growth rate of onion causing early initiation of bulbs, early maturity and finally early harvesting [7].
The more number of days required for maturity might be due to less photosynthesis efficiency, resulting in more time
requirement to complete the vegetative [7]. The results of the present study are supported by the findings of Masika et
al. and Sharma and Sain who reported variation in days to maturity among onion genotypes [8,9].
Plant height: Plant height was not significantly influenced (P>0.05) by varietal difference. However, somewhat
higher plant heights were recorded from Nafis (46 cm) and Nasik red (45.7cm).Whereas to some extent lower values
were obtained at the varieties of Robaf (41 cm) and Bombay red (42 cm). The result is in contrast with the findings of
Haile-Selassie et al. [6] in which higher plant height (57.40 cm) was recorded from Nafis and (66.26 cm) at Nasik red.
This greater plant height might be due to favorable soil and climatic conditions during the season.
Bulb weight: Onion bulb weight was not significantly (p<0.05) affected by varietal effect. But, highly significant
difference (p<0.01) was recorded across years and locations. Higher fresh bulb weights of 126.4 g and 121.8 g were
observed from varieties Bombay red and Nafis respectively, which differed insignificantly from varieties Nasik red
(119.5 g) and Robaf (115.5 g). The lowest dry bulb weight of (102.8 g) was observed in standard check variety
(Adama red). According to Sirajo and Namo the genotypes with higher bulb weight had higher total bulb yield,
implying that dry bulb weight is a major determinant of fresh bulb yield in the onion. Dry matter content has been
reported to contribute largely to the firmness and tunic thickness of some local onion variety in India. Dry matter
content is also believed to influence long storage period in the onion in India as well as in Nigeria. Genotypes with
high dry matter have longer shelf-life and are recommended for industrial processing.
Yield and Yield Component Traits
Bulb diameter: Mean square values indicated that there was no significant influence (p>0.05) by varietal effect on
bulb diameter. But, the highest bulb diameter was observed in the variety Nafis (20.4 cm) and Bombay red (20.1 cm),
but this did not differ significantly from other varieties. Onion genotypes with high bulb diameter are known to have
large bulbs and small neck diameter attributes, which are believed to make them not to store well. Bulb diameter
contributes to bulb size and shape index.

266
Pelagia Research Library
Fikre G, et al. Asian J. Plant Sci. Res., 2021, 11(8):264-268

Marketable yield: The combined analysis of data indicated that marketable yield was significantly influenced
(P<0.05) by varietal effect of the onion plants. The highest bulb yield per plot was obtained in varieties Bombay red
(10.8 kg) and Nafis (10.2 kg) which were not significantly differed from other varieties but superior compared to the
standard check under study. The more increase in marketable yield appeared due to increased bulb weight and bulb
diameter. Pardeshi and Waskar reported the increase in marketable yield appeared due to increased growth of plants
with respect to height of plant and number of leaves per plant [7]. In this case, our result is in contrary to their findings.
Higher rate of photosynthesis might have produced more food material, thereby increasing in size of bulbs as indicated
by diameter and average bulb weight which are important yield contributing characters. The yield differences can also
be attributed to difference in genetic makeup of different varieties [8-10].
Unmarketable yield: Unmarketable yield was highly significantly (P<0.01) influenced by year and location effects.
Similarly, it was also significantly (P<0.05) affected by the onion varieties. Variety Nafis had produced significantly
higher unmarketable yield (2.5% of its total yield) while Bombay red had produced significantly lower unmarketable
yield (0.7% of the total yield). This indicated that Bombay red had better adaptability and yield performance. Similar
result was reported by Haile-Selassie et al. for the some onion varieties.
Total yield: The highest total yield (12.13 t/ha) was obtained from variety Bombay red; which however, was
statistically on par with the total yield of Nafis (11.68 t/ha). On the other hand, despite its higher unmarketable yield,
higher total yield of 11.68 t/ha was recorded by Nafis which was not significantly differed from the rest varieties. The
difference in total bulb yield of onion varieties depends on variation in genotypes, climate, cultural practices and their
interactions. The present result is in agreement with findings of Simon et al., who obtained the highest total bulb yield
from variety Nafis than other varieties.

Conclusion

The result indicated that all the evaluated varieties performed better in bulb yield and well adapted compared to the
standard check (Adama red). Bombay red had better adaptability and yield performance with the lowest unmarketable
yield and better bulb weight. Similarly, variety Nafis showed better yield performance with relatively better bulb
weight. Thus, Bombay red and Nafis varieties can be used for cultivation and better production in the study area and
similar agro-ecologies.

Acknowledgments

The authors are highly grateful to South Agricultural Research Institute, SARI, for financial support to conduct this
research and to all staffs of Crop Research Directorate of Arba Minch Agricultural Research Center.

References

1. Dawar MN, Wazir KF, Dawar MD, Dawar HS. Effect of planting density on growth and yield of onion varieties
under climatic condition of Peshawar. J Agric. 2007, 23:911-918.
2. Nikus O, Mulugeta, F. Onion seed production techniques. In: A manual for extension agents and seed producers.
FAO crop diversification and marketing development project. Asella, Ethiopia. 2010, 2-10.
3. Sara B, Daniel M, Solomon G, Wolde-mariam S. Yield components of Adama red onion (Allium cepa L.) cultivar
as affected by intra-row spacing under irrigation in Fiche condition. Scientific Publishing Group. 2015, 3:75-79.
4. Geremew A, Teshome A, Kasaye T, Amenti C. Effect of intra row spacing on yield of three onions (allium cepa L.)
varieties at adami tulu agricultural research center (mid rift valley of ethiopia). J Horticult Forestry. 2010, 2:7-11.
5. Yousuf MN, Akter S, Haque MI Mohammed N, Zaman MS. Compositional nutrient diagnosis (CND) of onion
(allium cepa L.) Bangladesh J Agri Res. 2013, 38:271-287.
6. Gebremeskel HS, Abebe H, Jaleto K, Biratu W. Genotypic difference in growth and yield related traits of onion
(Allium Cepa L.) varieties at southern tigray. Cur Research Agri Sci. 2016, 3:16-21.
7. Pardeshi RG, Waskar DP. Performance of improved onion (Allium cepa L.) varieties under Marathwada region in
respect of growth and yield parameters Asian J Hort. 2012, 7:333-336.

267
Pelagia Research Library
Fikre G, et al. Asian J. Plant Sci. Res., 2021, 11(8):264-268

8. Mahanthesh B, Ravi PSM, Harshav M, Vishnuvardhana M, Janardhan G. Evaluation of different onion (Allium
cepa L.) genotypes for yield and processing quality parameters in kharif season under irrigated condition. The
Asian J Hort. 2008, 3:5-9.
9. Kabura BH, Musa B, Odo PE. Evaluation of the yield components and yield of onion (Allium cepa L.) and pepper
(Capsicum annum L.) intercrop in the Sudan Savanna. J Agro. 2008, 7:88-92.
10. Ishwori P, Gautam BK, Govinda PP. Evaluation of different varieties of onion and their transplanting times for
off-season production in Mid Hills of Nepal. Nepal Agric Res J. 2016, 7:23-28.

268
Pelagia Research Library