Effect of fertilizer types and application rates on onion (allium cepa l.) Productivity in Kilosa district
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Date
2014
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
Onion (Allium cepa L.) yield in Kilosa is said to be very low compared to the world
production
of about 22 t ha’1. Poor crop
husbandry
including the use of
unrecommended types and rates of fertilizers at incorrect time of application was
found to be. among the discrepancies facing onion production in the area. The
purpose of this study was to establish and recommend the best combination and rate
of N and P fertilizer sources for onion under Kilosa agroecological conditions.
A field trial was conducted at Malolo village between September 2012 - January
2013 (dry season) and February 2013 - July 2013 (wet season). The experiment was
laid out in split plot design with three replications. Two onion varieties namely; Red
Bombay and Red Creole were used and assigned to the main plots. N and P fertilizer
sources, each at the rates of 0, 50 and 100 kg N ha'1 and 0, 40 and 50 kg P ha'1,
respectively were assigned to the subplots. Data were collected on vegetative growth,
yield and bulb quality. They were then subjected to analysis of variance using
GENSTAT 14th Edition at a difference declared significance of 5% level. Results
showed significant differences between varieties in growth, yield and quality
components. Red Bombay performed better in productivity in both dry and wet
seasons compared with Red Creole. Wet season promoted better productivity than
the dry spell. There was significant differences in yield between N and P sources at
varying rates during the dry season, but insignificant during the wet season. Fertilizer
combination of TSP and CAN at 50 kg P ha'1 and 100 kg N ha'1 respectively, is
recommended as best for better productivity of onion plants under the Kilosa
agroecological conditions.
Description
Thesis
Keywords
Fertilizer, Allium cepa l, Crop husbandry, Onion production