Effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers on yield and mineral content of onion (Allium cepa L.)

Abstract

This experiment was conducted to find the influence of both organic and mineral fertilizer on the quality and yield of onion (Allium cepa L.) and also on the macro and micro element contents of onion bulb. Cattle manure was applied at 0, 20, 40 and 60 t/ha. Nitrogen:phosphorus:potassium was applied at the recommended dose of 120:100:150 with half of the recommended rate of NPK. Yield, yield components and macro-micro element contents were measured. In the first year, bulb width and number of storage leaf were influenced significantly by the treatments. In the second year, applications affected onion yield significantly but bulb number, fleshy thickness, bulb weight, bulb height, number of storage leaf, number of shoot tip and number of dried leaves were not influenced statistically. In the first year, treatments influenced K content, but did not influence N, P, Ca, Na, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn contents of the onion bulb. In the second year, the treatments influenced Na content, but did not influence the others.

Key words: Onion, organic fertilizer, mineral fertilizer, yield, macro elements, micro elements.