Vol. 11, Issue 11 (2022)

Author(s):
Sujaina M, KK Math, Manjunatha Hebbara, SM Hiremath and Kiran K Mirajkar

Abstract:
A field experiment was carried out to study the response of onion to different levels of sulphur (30 and 40 kg ha^-1), zinc sulphate (15 and 25 kg ha^-1) and borax (7.5 and 10 kg ha^-1) during rabi 2020-21 and 2021-22 at All India Network Research Project on Onion and Garlic (AINRPOG), Seed Unit, Main Agriculture Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad. All the treatments except absolute control and RPP received supplemental foliar applications of zinc sulphate (0.5%) and borax (0.25%) at 30, 45 and 60 days after transplanting. The experiment was laidout in randomized complete block design with sixteen treatments each replicated thrice. Results revealed that combined application of sulphur, zinc and boron exerted positive and significant influence on shelf life of onion bulb. Soil application of sulphur @ 40 kg ha^-1 + zinc sulphate @ 25 kg ha^-1 + borax @ 10 kg ha^-1 significantly reduced the physiological loss in weight (10.61%), sprouting (4.10%) and rotting loss (1.90%) after two months of storage period. However, it was on par with the treatment that received sulphur @ 40 kg ha^-1 + zinc sulphate @ 25 kg ha^-1 + borax @ 7.5 kg ha^-1, sulphur @ 40 kg ha^-1 + zinc sulphate @ 15 kg ha^-1 + borax @ 10 kg ha^-1 and sulphur @ 30 kg ha^-1 + zinc sulphate @ 25 kg ha^-1 + borax @ 10 kg ha^-1. It is concluded that application of sulphur (40 kg ha^-1), zinc sulphate (25 kg ha^-1) and borax (10 kg ha^-1) is found to be the most appropriate combination for improving the shelf life of onion.