Elemental Sulphur Content Of Onion Bulb (Allium cepa L.) as affected by Cow-Dung, Nitrogen, and Weed interference in the Sokoto Rima Fadama

Abstract

Two field trials were conducted during the 2005/2006 and 2006/2007 dry season under irrigation at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching and Research Fadama Farm at Kwalkwallawa, Sokoto (Latitude 1301’N and Longitude 50 13’E, 350m above sea level) to study the effect of cow-dung, nitrogen and weed interference on the elemental sulphur content of onion (Allium cepa L.). The treatments consisted of three levels of cow-dung (0, 15 and 30 t/ha), three levels of nitrogen (0, 50 and 75 kg/ha) and three weeding regimes (weedy check, 4 and 6 weeks after transplanting) laid out in a randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The elemental sulphur content (mg/g) of the onion bulb, was studied. The result showed significant (P < 0.05) effect of cow-dung, nitrogen and weed interference on the elemental sulphur content of onion. Highest level of sulphur content were obtained with 15 t/ha cow-dung, 75 kg/ha nitrogen and 4 WAT weeding regime. Based on the finding of this study, it could be concluded that for optimum onion production in the Sokoto Rima Fadama, a combination of 15 t/ha cow-dung, 75 kg/ha nitrogen coupled with the 4 WAT weeding regime is the most suitable.

Keywords: Cow-dung, nitrogen, weed interference, onion, sulphur, sokoto, Rima Fadama.