Agricultural and Biological Research

Effects of blended(NPSB) fertilizer rate on growth, yield,and yield component of onion (Allium cepa L.) varieties at jimma condition by WOLKITE, ETHIOPIA

Kibebew Fikre, Derbew Belew yohannes, Amsalu Nebiyu woldekirstos

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is of the most important vegetable crops produced on large scale in Ethiopia. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of blended NPSB fertilizer rate on the growth and yield of onion varieties during 2018/2019 cropping season. The experiment was laid out in an RCBD with three replications. The study consisted of four levels of NPSB fertilizer rate (0, 62.5, 125, and 187.5 kg ha-1) and three onion varieties. Data were collected for growth and bulb yield parameters. The main effect of blended NPSB and onion varieties influence only the harvest index significantly (p<0.001). Blended NPSB fertilizer and onion varieties were interacted to significantly (p<0.001) influence all parameters. The highest value for each response variables were recorded at variety Nafis with NPSB at rate of 125 kg ha-1. The highest marketable bulb yield of 35.1 t/ha was recorded in response to 125 kg ha-1 of NPSB with Nafis. However, as the experiment was done for only one season and single location, it has to be repeated over seasons and locations to make a conclusive recommendation by including urea and organic fertilizer.