Abstract

INTEGRATED CROP MANAGEMENT FOR PRODUCTION OF TRUE SEEDS OF ONION

M. R. A. Mollah*, M. A. Ali, M. Ahmad, M. K. Hassan and M. J. Alam

Abstract

Onion is a biennial crop. True seed is used for bulb production in the first year, and these bulbs are used as planting material in the second year for true seed production. The present study was under taken on onion seed production where seed production is possibly only winter period after which rapid increase in temperature as well as early shower adversely affect the quality of seed. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications to determine the effect of frequency of application of pesticides and optimum doses of manures & fertilizers for maximizing quality true seeds of onion. Five treatments viz. T1= Spices Research Centre (SRC) recommended dose of fertilizer + Rovral spray at 15 days interval upto maturity stage + no spray of Admire T2= Modified dose of fertilizer + Rovral spray at 15 days interval upto maturity stage + no spray of Admire T3= No manures & fertilizer application + Rovral spray at 15 days interval upto maturity stage + no spray of Admire T4= SRC recommended dose of fertilizer + No spray of Rovral and Admire T5= Modified dose of fertilizer + 3 sprays of Rovral at vegetative, umbel formation (70%) and flowering (70%) stage) + 1 spray of Admire at flowering stage were consisted to achieve the objective. The research work was done at On-Farm Research Division, BARI, Bogra during September, 2011 to June, 2012. The results revealed that the growth parameters, seed yield components, health and quality of harvested seeds were significantly influenced by the different treatments. Results showed that among different treatments, 3 sprays of Rovral at vegetative, umbel formation and flowering stage at 2 g/l of water along with one spray of Admire (Imidacloprid) at flowering stage at 0.5 ml/l of water was the best combination for true seed production of onion. Integrated crop management revealed that the application of 150, 275, 150, 110, 3 and 5 kg/ha of Urea, TSP, MoP, Gypsum, Zinc oxide and Boric acid, respectively, along with Cowdung 5 t/ha was required for quality seed production of onion at Bogra region in Bangladesh.

Keywords: Integrated crop management, yield, quality, true seeds, onion.