Evaluation of onion (Allium cepa L.) genotypes for growth, yield and quality under Mukteshwar conditions

Abstract

Significant variation among the 47 genotypes of onion was observed for all the traits plant height, leaf length, leaves per plant, polar and equatorial diameter of bulbs, average bulb weight, total soluble solids and total yield quintal/hectare. The coefficients of variation were low to high and ranged from 9.33 to 33.22%. It was observed moderate for bulb weight was positively associated with polar diameter, length, and girth of bulb. However, it was negatively correlated with days to maturity and total soluble solids. For improving bulb yield and important component traits in onion, the generation of genetically broad base population using diverse genotypes in breeding programmed is advocated. Onion (Allium cepa L.) is one of the most important crops cultivated throughout the world and utilized as spice and condiment. It is hardy, bulbous rooted perennial plant with small narrow rounded leaves a white flower. Onion possesses typical pungent flavoring it useful mainly as a spice, seasoning and flavouring agent for foodstuff. Eating of raw onion boost the immune system and regulate blood sugar level. However, there is great potential for increasing area, production and productivity of this crop in the region, and hence, there is an urgent need to evaluate different onion genotypes under Mukteshwar region. Therefore, the present investigation was undertaken to study the evaluation of onion genotypes for growth, yield, and quality in Mukteshwar condition in order to achieve this objective. The highest bulb yield (313.5 Q/ha) was recorded in genotypes AVT-I-BLRO-1229 and AVT-II-CLRO-1227, followed by 297.0 Q/ha and 280.5 Q/ha recorded in IET hybrid-ALRO-1230 and IET-ALRO-1243. Whereas, the lowest bulb yield (171.6 Q/ha) was obtained in AVT-II-CLRO- 1275 genotypes.