Evaluation of Different Onion Seed Production Methods for Improving Production and Productivity of Onion in Southern Tigray

Abstract

Use of quality seed is a determinant factor for improving crop yield. Onion is widely grown crop by the farmers in the Raya-valley, Ethiopia which is mainly used as cash crop.  Most of the farmers in this area use seeds of unknown sources of poor quality, leading to low yield.  This demands establishment of local seed system for better quality and accessibility. Aiming at curbing the problem, evaluation of the performance of different onion seed production methods on yield and yield component of onion seed was conducted in Raya Alamata Woreda,Tumuga Kebele. Three seed production methods i.e. bulb to seed method (harvested bulb planted one and half month after vernalization), sliced (1/3^rd) bulb treated by ash method (bulbs planted one month after vernalization) and seed to seed method were evaluated. Significantly highest onion seed yield (1246.8kgha^-1), number of flower stalks per plant (10.1) and 1000 seed weight (4.768gm) were recorded from sliced bulb treated by ash method. On the contrary, significantly lower seed yield, number of flower stalks and 1000 seed weight were recorded from seed to seed method. Therefore, seed production from sliced bulb treated by ash method could be recommended for seed producer farmers around in Raya-Valley. However, further studies including other treatments like newly released onion varieties, time of planting and bulb size will be crucial for improving seed yield of onion.

Keywords: Production method, Onion seed, Sliced and Ash treatment

DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/10-9-05

Publication date:May 31^st 2020