Studies on foliar application of plant growth promoters and micronutrients in onion (Allium Cepa L.) under hilly areas of Karnataka determining yield and quality

Abstract

Investigation was carried out during 2021- 22 at the vegetable science farm of COH(College of Horticulture), Mudigere on the significance of plant growth promoters and micronutrients in onion variety Bhima Shakti under the hill zones of Karnataka. Treatments include the growth promoters (GA3 and NAA) applied at three different concentrations viz., 75 ppm, 100 ppm, 125 ppm and micronutrients (ZnSO4 and Boron) at two different concentrations viz., 0.25% and 0.50%. Growth promoters and micronutrients had a significant impact in onion on its growth and yield. The experiment consisted of eleven treatments with three replications laid out in Randomized complete block design. Total bulb yield (34.50 t ha-1), marketable bulb yield (33.30 t ha-1), A grade bulb yield (53.81 % and 18.56 t ha-1), gross returns (₹ 5,44,820), net returns (₹ 3,69,514) and benefit cost ratio (2.11) were obtained maximum with the application of GA3@100ppm with minimum unmarketable yield (1.20 t ha-1) and C grade bulb yield (6.80 % and 2.34 t ha-1). B grade bulb yield (39.06 % and 12.24 t ha-1) observed the highest in NAA@100ppm. Quality parameters such as polar diameter (5.69 cm) and equatorial diameter (5.94 cm) observed significantly maximum in the same treatment GA3@100ppm. Thus, the application of gibberellic acid at optimal concentration of 100ppm was considered best for obtaining maximum yield, good quality bulbs with higher returns and benefit cost ratio.