Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.5513/JCEA01/25.3.4070
Effects of plant and row spacing and nitrogen levels on growth, yield and economics of onion (Allium cepa L.) in Khost, Afghanistan
Qasimullah RYAN
; Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Shaikh Zayed University, Kabul main road, 1200 families, Khost, Afghanistan
*
Shafigul SHAFIQI
; Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Shaikh Zayed University, Kabul main road, 1200 families, Khost, Afghanistan
Abdul Aziz WAZIRI
; Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Shaikh Zayed University, Kabul main road, 1200 families, Khost, Afghanistan
Ahmad Yar AHMADI
; Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Shaikh Zayed University, Kabul main road, 1200 families, Khost, Afghanistan
Qiamudin ABAD
; Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Shaikh Zayed University, Kabul main road, 1200 families, Khost, Afghanistan
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Poor soil fertility management and inappropriate plant and row spacing are the main factors constraining onion production in Khost. Therefore, it was felt necessary to develop a package to recommend nitrogen (N) levels and plant and row spacing in the study area. Hence, this study was initiated to assess the effect of plant and row spacing and N levels on the growth, yield and economics of onion at the Agricultural Research Farm of Shaikh Zayed University (SZU), Khost. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications was used to set up the experiment, which was a factorial combination of three plant and row spacings (10×10, 15×10, and 20×15 cm) and four levels of nitrogen (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg N/ha). The analysis's findings showed that the growth and yield attributes of onion were significantly influenced by the main and interaction effects of N levels and spacing. Higher growth and yield components were recorded with higher N levels and wider spacing, but significantly higher bulb yield and net returns over the control were obtained with the application of 150 kg N/ha combined with narrow plant and row spacing (10×10 cm). The control group with no nitrogen produced the lowest growth and yield attributes across all spacing treatments. Therefore, 10×10 cm plant and row spacing combined with 150 kg N/ha is recommended for optimum bulb yield and economically attractive benefits in the study area.
Keywords
plant geometry; nitrogen levels; onion performances and profitability
Hrčak ID:
320910
URI
Publication date:
23.9.2024.
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