Improving onion productivity and producer income through nitrogen management

Abstract

Intensifying nitrogen (N) management can improve yield and bulb quality in onions. A field experiment was conducted to determine the optimum N rate and application frequency for high onion productivity. Treatments comprised levels of nitrogen (N): 50, 100, 150, 200, or 250 kg ha^-1, and nitrogen application frequency: all at once, twice, three times, or four times. The N rate and application frequency affected growth performance, bulb characters, yield, and bulb quality of onions. The supplement of 150 kg ha^-1 N at three times the application frequencies generated the highest marketable yield (46.5 t ha^-1) with the highest net benefit (626317 ETB ha^-1). Application of 150 kg ha^-1 of inorganic nitrogen with three times the application frequency improves the marketable yield of onions with the highest and most acceptable net benefit. The intensive and economical use of inorganic nitrogen and its frequency of application increased the growth and economic yield of onions in field conditions.