Effect of NPK, bulb size and spacing on yield of pran (top onion) under temperate rainfed conditions

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out at the experimental field of the Division of Vegetable Science, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar during for ascertaining suitable spacing, bulb size and NPK combination for maximizing yield and quality of Top onion (Pran). The experiment comprising of 27 treatment combinations was laid out as a randomized complete block design with each treatment combination replicated three times. Three bulb sizes (2.5-5.0, 5.1-7.5 and 7.6-10.0g), three spacings (20 x 10, 20 x 15 and 20 x 20 cm) and three NPK fertilizer levels (80:60:40, 100:80:60 and 120:100:80 NPK kg ha^-1) in various combinations were tried in the experiment. The findings reveal that among various treatment combinations, F₃B₃S₃ combination (120:100:80 NPK kg ha^-1 , 7.6-10.0g bulbs and 20 x 20 cm spacing) recorded highest values for number of bulbs (8.72), bulb length (6.73cm), bulb diameter (2.79cm), bulb weight (16.44g), bulb weight per plant (141.75g). However highest yield per hectare (37.72 t ha^-1) was recorded for F₂B₂S₂ treatment combination (100:80:60 NPK kg ha^-1, 5.1-7.5g bulbs and 20 x 15cm spacing).