Loading...
Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola
Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola was established on 20th October, 1969 with its head-quarter at Akola. This Agricultural University was named after the illustrious son of Vidarbha Dr. Panjabrao (alias Bhausaheb) Deshmukh, who was the Minister for Agriculture,Govt. of India. The jurisdiction of this university is spread over the eleven districts of Vidarbha. According to the University Act 1983 (of the Government of Maharashtra), the University is entrusted with the responsibility of agricultural education, research and extension education alongwith breeder and foundation seed programme.
The University has its main campus at Akola. The instructional programmes at main campus are spread over in 5 Colleges namely, College of Agriculture, College of Agricultural Engineering & Technology, College of Forestry, College of Horticulture and Post Graduate Institute. At this campus 4 degree programmes namely B.Sc.(Agri.) B.Sc. (Hort.), B.Sc. (Forestry) and B.Tech. (Ag. Engg.) , two Master’s Degree Programmes viz. M.Sc.(Agri.) and M.Tech. (Agri.Engg.) and Doctoral Degree Programmes in the faculties of Agriculture and Agril. Engineering are offered.
The University has its sub-campus at Nagpur with constituent College, College of Agriculture which offers B.Sc.(Agri.) and M.Sc.(Agri.) degree programmes. The Nagpur Campus is accomplished with a garden, surrounded by its natural beauty and a well established Zoo which attract the general public and visitors to the city. A separate botanic Garden is being maintained on 22 hectares with a green house for the benefit of research workers.
In addition there are 2 affiliated grant-in-aid colleges and 14 private non-grant-in-aid colleges under the umbrella of this University
A Central Research Station is situated at the main Campus which caters to the need of research projects undertaken by Crop Scientists of the principle crops of the region are Cotton, Sorghum, Oilseeds and Pulses.
Browse
29 results
Search Results
ThesisItem Open Access BIOGAS PRODUCTION FROM CATTLE DUNG INOCULATED WITH SHREDDED COTTON STALKS.(Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra., 2019-08-31) SHEIKH, MOHD ZAQI S/o AHID MOHD.; Kalbande, Dr. S. R.The project entitled “Biogas production from cattle dung inoculated with shredded cotton stalks” was undertaken to evaluate the performance of 2 m3 modified Janta biogas plant using cattle dung and cattle dung inoculated with shredded cotton stalks. The average particle size of cotton stalk was found to be 1.78 mm. The proximate analysis of cotton stalk determined the average moisture content, volatile matter, ash content and fixed carbon and it was found to be 7.20, 68.80, 5.40 and 18.60 %, respectively. The ultimate analysis of cotton stalk determined the carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen content and it was found to be 52.02, 6.51, 0.72, and 35.35 %, respectively. The total cumulative biogas production from cattle dung for the month of August, December, February and April was 141114 liter whereas the total cumulative biogas production from cattle dung inoculated with shredded cotton stalks for the month of September, January, March and May was 158809 liter. The total cumulative biogas production from both feed stocks was found to be 299923 liter. The total average methane content of biogas from cattle dung for the month of August, December, February and April was 56.92 % whereas the total average methane content of biogas production from cattle dung inoculated with shredded cotton stalks for the month of August, December, February and April was 59.59 %. The total average methane content from both feed stocks was found to be 58.25 %. The total average pH of the cattle dung slurry for the month of August, December, February and April before digestion (BD) and after digestion (AD) was found to be 7.10 and 6.88, respectively whereas the total average pH of the cattle dung inoculated with shredded cotton stalks slurry for the month of September, January, March and May before digestion (BD) and after digestion (AD) was found to be 7.39 and 7.16, respectively. The total average NPK content of the cattle dung slurry for the month of August, December, February and April before digestion (BD) was found to be 1.14, 0.74 and 0.55 %, respectively while after digestion (AD) it was 1.37, 0.89 and 0.65 %, respectively. Whereas the total average nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) content of the cattle dung inoculated with shredded cotton stalks slurry for the month of September, January, March and May before digestion (BD) was found to be 1.20, 0.80 and 0.56 %, respectively while after digestion (AD) it was 1.47, 0.91 and 0.70 %, respectively. The percentage increase in NPK content of the cattle dung slurry after digestion was found to be 17.30, 17.65 and 15.38 %, respectively whereas the percentage increase in NPK content of the cattle dung inoculated with shredded cotton stalks slurry after digestion was found to be 18.26, 11.81 and 19.42 %, respectively. Overall results indicated that the cattle dung (75 %) and cotton stalk (25 %) substrate mixed in equal proportion of water ratios as 1:1 gave sufficient biogas production and observed higher methane content in the month of May-2019. The biogas production may vary with respect to change in temperature and revealed that increased slurry temperature affects biogas production positively. The chemical analysis of slurry suggested that the increased in NPK content after digestion. Hence in the area where cotton stalks are available, cattle dung inoculated with shredded cotton stalks (75:25) may be used as an alternative feed stock for production of biogas.ThesisItem Open Access DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL TRACTOR OPEATED BROAD BED FURROW MAKER.(Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra., 2019-09-24) TELANG, KUNAL HARISHYAM.; Khambalkar, Dr. V. P.A Small tractor operated BBF maker was developed and evaluated for its performance in the Department of FPM, Dr. PDKV, Akola. During preparation of sowing season, there is an acute shortage of labour, which causes delay in sowing of crop which ultimately results in a reduction in yield Bed making operation is one of the important tillage operations which control water logging problem which reduce the crop yield. There is a need of such machine which overcome the economic constraints of farmer and can perform bed making operation. Another limitation is that about 90 percent of farmers fall in the category of marginal, small and semi-medium land holding. They could not offer heavy price of big tractors and implements. Big tractors operated machineries are not suitable for small and scattered land holdings since it gives low field efficiency in small fields. Techno-economic performance evaluation of small Tractor operated broad bed furrow maker was carried out during the study. Implement was tested in laboratory and in the field. The main components of the implement were main frame, hitch assembly, forming board, adjustment lever, cutting blade, hitch pair. Developed equipment was evaluated in field as per the test procedure in RNAM and IS code test code 12334-1988 for the assessment of the equipment. The working width was 180 cm depth of operation was 4.83 cm. The average draft requirement of the implement was 164.4 kgf for implement at an average speed of 2.22 km/h for the range of 18.5 hp tractor. For Broad bed making operation, fuel consumption and average tractor wheel slip of the machine were found 3.21 l/ha and 8.26 per cent respectively. The effective field capacity, theoretical field capacity and field efficiency of implement was found to be 0.30 ha/h, 0.40 ha/h and 76.97 per cent respectively. The average collection efficiency was found to be 81.47 per cent and wear per cent was found to be 0.041%/h. The cost of operation for broad bed making was Rs. 258.94/h and Rs 914.30/ha. The overall performance of the small tractor operated broad bed maker during the operation of was found to be satisfactory.ThesisItem Open Access DEVELOPMENT OF TRACTOR OPERATED SEED FERTI DRILL-CUM-WEEDCIDE APPLICATOR.(Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra., 2019-09-12) GHADGE, AMOL SUKHDEO.; Thakare, Dr. S. H.The project entitled “Development of tractor operated seed ferti drill-cum-weedicide applicator” was undertaken with the objectives, to evaluate performance of tractor operated seed ferti drill-cum-weedicide applicator. Tractor operated seed ferti drill-cum-weedicide applicator was developed and evaluated techno-economic performance of tractor operated seed ferti drill-cum-weedicide applicator in the field at Central Demonstration Farm, Wani-Rambhapur Dr. PDKV Akola. Techno-economic performance evaluation of tractor operated seed ferti drill-cum-weedicide applicator was carried out during the study. Chick pea was sowing with the use of seed ferti drill-cum weedicide applicator and Implement was tested in laboratory and in the field. Spacing between two adjacentent tynes were 450 mm. The working width was 2550 mm. The average draft requirement of the implement was 303.6 kgf for implement at an average speed of 3.25 km/h for the range of 45 hp tractor. For weedicide spraying operation, fuel consumption and average tractor wheel slip were found 4.52 l/ha and 9.87 per cent, respectively. The effective field capacity, theoretical field capacity and field efficiency of implement was found to be 0.592 ha/h, 0.731 ha/h and 81.02 per cent respectively. Pendimethalin weedicide was sprayed simultaneously along with sowing of chick pea crop. 1000 ml weedicide was used for 200 lit tank for spraying on 0.60 ha. Average discharge rate of nozzle was 1.89 lit/min. cost of operation per hour and hectare of implement were Rs.645.53/- and Rs.1090.42/-. The overall performance of the tractor operated seed ferti drill cum weedicide applicator during the operation of weedicide spraying was found to be satisfactory.ThesisItem Open Access DEVELOPMENT OF BULLOCK DRAWN PUDDLER FOR EASTERN VIDARBHA REGION.(Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra., 2019-09-12) BHANDAKKAR, VISHAL MORESHWAR.; Karhale, Er. S. S. Er. S. S.A bullock drawn lugs wheel puddler was evaluated for its performance at Krishi Vighyan Kendra, Sonapur-Gadchiroli. Puddling is one of the most important operations in rice cultivation which control the infiltration rate of water in field. In Eastern Vidarbha Region, puddling operation done with the help of plough which was not effective and proper. There was a need of such puddler which overcome this problem and farmers can perform puddling operation effectively and get high crop yield. Another limitation is that about 90 per cent of farmers fall in the category of marginal, small and semi-medium land holding (Agricultural Statistics at a Glance-1995). They could not offer heavy price of big tractors and implements hence development of bullock drawn puddler was essential. Performance evaluation of Bullock drawn puddler was carried out at the Krishi Vighyan Kendra, Sonapur-Gadchiroli and farmers field. Breed of bullock Gaolao ,Khillar and Deoni was good draftabililty and gives satisfactory work on developed Lug wheel puddler. Respiration rate of Gaolao, Khillar and Deoni was increases from 15.66, 17.33 and 16.00 bpm to 35.33, 41.00 and 43.33 bpm respectively after half hour puddling operation. The working width of puddling was 90 cm. The average draft requirement of the implement was 54.78 kg for puddling operation and an average speed of operation was 2.48 km/h. The Effective Field Capacity, Theoretical Field Capacity and Field Efficiency of puddler was found to be 0.173 ha/h, 0.223 ha/h and 77.50 per cent respectively. The average pudddling index was found to be 39.5 per cent. The cost of operation for pudding was Rs. 113.65/h and Rs. 656.94/ha. The overall performance of the bullock drawn puddler during the operation carried in small area was found to be satisfactory.ThesisItem Open Access COMPARATIVE PERFORMANCE OF DRIP IRRIGATED ONION UNDER DIFFERENT PLANT DENSITY AND FERTILIZER LEVELS.(Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra., 2019-09-18) KADAM, VAIBHAV SHIVAJI.; MANKAR, Dr. A. N.The field experiment to study the “Comparative performance of drip irrigated onion under different plant density and fertilizer levels” was conducted at Chilli and Vegetable Research Unit, Dr. PDKV, Akola, during Rabi season of 2018-19, which comes under Western Vidarbha Region of Maharashtra. The experiment, comprising of 9 treatment combinations replicated three times, laid out in factorial randomize block design with three plant density 10 x 7.5 cm, 10 x 10 cm, and 10 x 12.5 cm and three fertilizer levels (80%, 100% and 120% recommended dose of NPK). Plant spacing 10 x 12.5 cm was superior over different plant spacing in relation to growth attributes viz. number of leaves per plant, neck thickness, and average weight of bulb, polar and equatorial diameter of bulb. However, plant height, bulb yield per hectare and marketable yield was maximum under 10 x 7.5 cm plant spacing due to more number of plants accommodated per unit area. Minimum rotten bulb was found with 10 x 7.5 cm plant spacing. 120% recommended dose of fertilizer significantly improved the growth (plant height, number of leaves per plant, average weight of bulb, polar and equatorial diameter of bulb, maximum marketable yield). 120% RDF revealed maximum marketable yield which showed good quality parameter. Yield attributes i.e. bulb yield per hectare was maximum with 120% RDF. Plant density, fertilizer levels and their interaction showed significant effect on yield parameter (bulb yield per hectare and marketable yield). The maximum bulb yield and marketable yield (q/ha) was recorded with F3S1 (120% RDF with 10 x 7.5 cm plant spacing).Maximum bulb yield statistically at par with F2S1, F3S2 and marketable yield statistically at par with F2S1 . The maximum net return with higher B:C ratio (2.75) was obtained in treatment combination F3S1(10 x 7.5 cm plant spacing with 120% RDF). Because of maximizing the yield with closer plant density, application of higher dose of fertilizer and considering the B:C ratio, the treatment combination F3S1 was best and can be recommended for maximum onion production in Western Vidarbha region.ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON MODIFIED BIOGAS PLANT FOR POWER GENERATION.(Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra., 2019-10-11) BHAVAR, SHAILENDRA VILAS.; Kalbande, Dr. S. R.The project entitled “Studies on modified biogas plant for power generation” was undertaken during 2018-19 in the Department of Unconventional Energy Sources and Electrical Engineering, Post Graduate Institute, Dr. PDKV Akola with the objectives to characterize feed stock material, to evaluate the performance of biogas plant for power generation and to study on economic feasibility of biogas plant for power generation. A 50 m3 fixed dome modified biogas plant was constructed in the university dairy for meeting out the electrical demand of dairy in some extent. In the proximate analysis of cattle dung and digested slurry, the average moisture content, total solid, volatile matter, ash content and fixed carbon were determined and found to be 79.79, 20.31, 15.83, 3.60, 1.06 %, and 89.12, 11.05, 7.83, 2.19, 1.03%, respectively. The ultimate analysis of cattle dung and digested slurry, determined the carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen content which were found to be 27.51, 13.44, 1.78, 53.78 % and 32.09, 6.82, 1.94, 56.95 %, respectively. During study period the maximum and minimum temperature were found to be 41 and 23 0C, respectively. The maximum and minimum biogas production were observed as 40 and 22 m3/day respectively. An average biogas production was found to be, 27.24 m3/day. The per cent carbon dioxide content was initially higher in the biogas due to unstabilization of methanogenic process. After stabilization of process of biomethanation, methane and carbon di-oxide contents of generated biogas were measured. The methane and carbon dioxide contents in produced biogas were determined after 5 weeks were found to be 57.51 and 41.33 per cent. Initial ten days the methane content was around 54 to 57 per cent, thereafter it was remain constant and found above 57 per cent for the remaining period. The maximum methane content in the biogas production was 62 per cent. Methanogenic bacteria are very sensitive to changes in pH during the production of biogas. The optimum range of pH for satisfactory biogas production lies between 6.5 to 7.5. The pH value decreased after digestion as compare to the feed stock before digestion. An average pH of fresh cattle dung and digested slurry were found to be 7.16 and 6.77, respectively. The cattle dung and digested slurry was analyzed for nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content of before and after digestion. In cattle dung, N, P and K were determined as 1.13, 0.75 and 0.55, respectively whereas in digested slurry 1.33, 0.90 and 0.68, respectively. The performance of the gas engine run on 100% biogas was evaluated under no load, half load and full load test. The experiment was carried out to find out average biogas consumption (m3/h), speed of engine (rpm), output voltage (V) and current (A) and found to be 2.02, 1501, 354 and 0, respectively, for no load test, 2.22, 1411, 363, and 5.9, respectively for half load test, 3.30, 1405, 409 and 10.15, respectively for full load test. The brake thermal efficiency (BTE) of the engine directly proportional to the speed of the engine, hence BTE of engine decreased with decrease in speed of the engine. An average BTE in half load and full load were found 21.97 and 28.36 % respectively. The maximum BTE in half load test and full load test was found that 23.35 and 29.24 % respectively. The minimum BTE in half load test were 21.08 and 27.65%, respectively. An economic analysis of the biogas power generation unit have suggested the system is economically viable with, cost benefit ratio 1.86, payback period three years. Thus, it is revealed that the electricity production from biogas is economically feasible in the present energy scenario.ThesisItem Open Access INVESTIGATION ON BIOMASS HEATED AIR ROTARY TRAY DRYER FOR MEDICINAL CROPS.(Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra., 2019-08-31) WANKHADE, PALLAVI MADHUKAR.; Khambalkar, Shri. V. P.The project entitled “Investigation on Biomass Heated Air Rotary Tray Dryer for Drying of Medicinal Crops” is carried out at Department of Unconventional Energy Source and Electrical Engineering, Dr.PDKV, Akola undertaken with the objectives to characterize agro residues based briquettes used for combustion in biomass heated air rotary tray dryer and to evaluate performance of biomass heated air rotary tray dryer for drying of medicinal crops with techno-economic feasibility study of biomass heated air rotary tray dryer.The agro residue was utilized to heat up the air for drying of medicinal crops. The biomass heated air was supply to continuously to the drying chamber for drying of the safed musli roots. To the drying of medicinal crops temperature range was used 40, 45 and 500C. Biomass air heated rotary tray dryer system control the temperature of drying process to help the preservation of medicinal value in safed musli roots. The blower speed of 2100 rpm was used for supply heated air to the drying chamber and tray was rotated to the shaft speed 7rpm. The combustor having fuel feeding rate was change as per the temperature requirement for safed musli roots drying. The drying of safed musli to the temperature 40, 45 ,50 0C in biomass heated air rotary tray dryer and open sun dying results observed the inside drying chamber and combustor temperature were much higher than the ambient temperature during drying time. The biomass air heated rotary tray drying for medicinal crops no atmospheric condition was affected by this drying process. The safed musli root was successfully dried in the biomass heated air rotary tray dryer. The drying process observed that drying time was minimized and organic content obtained more in biomass heated air rotary tray dryer was found better than to open sun drying. The quantitative analysis showed that the traditional drying i.e., open sun drying took 17 h for drying of safed musli roots to remove moisture content from 420.83% (db) to 9.37%(db), while biomass heated air rotary tray dryer took only 14 h for drying of safed musli roots during 400C, at 450Crequired 12h and 500C required 10h and moisture content was removed 8.33 %(db), 9.16%(db) and 8.74 %(db) respectively. The drying of safed musli roots fuel required in 400C was0.848 kg/h, 450C was 1.329 kg/h and 500C used 1.793 kg/h fuel consumption was observed respectively. The drying chamber efficiency during 400C, 450C and 500C was found 47.58%, 48.51% and44.75% respectively. The composition of the dried sample for the 450C drying temperature were observed Saponin (6.14%), Alkaloid (3.26%) and other carbohydrate, protein and fiber was found more than the drying at 400C and 500C respectively. The colour value best observed in a 450C was L* =88.40, a* = 0.54, b* = 7.37. Water activity at 450was less aw=0.48at temperature 37.40C. The drying kinetics of dried safed musli roots were studied by using mathematical models viz., Lewis, Page, Henderson-Pabis, Logarithmic, Two term, Modified Henderson and Pabis and Wang and Singh models. Among all these models Two term model best fitted in400C and 450Cthe value of R2 =0.9991, χ2=0.0001, MBE=-0.0036, RMSE=0.0108 and R2= 0.9992, χ2 =0.0001, MBE=-0.0029, RMSE=0.0109 was observed respectively. The 500C Logarithmic drying mathematical models was best fitted the value of R2= 0.9992, χ2 =0.0001, MBE=-0.0029, RMSE=0.0109 for biomass heated air rotary tray dryer and open sun drying Henderson-Pabis model best fittedR2=0.9891, χ2=0.0018, MBE=-0.0065 and RMSE=0.0404value was obtained respectively. On the basis of economic analysis, payback period of the system was found to be 7 month 2 day for drying of safed musli roots in biomass heated air rotary tray dryer. The system was found economically feasible and produced good quality dried produce in biomass heated air rotary tray dryer for medicinal crops.ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON RIPENING OF CUSTARD APPLE (Annona squamosa L.) FRUITS CV. BALANAGAR.(Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra., 2019-08-19) BELE, GAJANAN MANIKRAO.; Bakane, Dr. P. H.Custard apple (Annona squamosa L.) a member of the Annonaceae family, is a tropical and subtropical fruit tree which is widely distributed in Asia, Africa and the America. It requires hot, dry climate during flowering and high humidity during fruit setting. Since, it is a climacteric fruit, it is harvested in unripe condition after maturity when the skin between the segments turns to creamy yellow. Being a perishable fruit, custard apple cannot be stored for a long period. and many custard apple processing plant don’t have capacity to process all the fruits at a time so, in peak season, they have to store fruits for some days. But, during this period fruits get spoiled if it is not properly stored. Therefore, there is necessity to study the ripening and storage conditions for custard apple fruits. The treatments involve three temperature levels viz., 15, 20 and 25°C and three RH levels 65-70, 75-80 and 85-90%. For storage and ripening of fruits at different temperature and RH conditions, ripening chamber was used and for Control treatment, fruits were ripened at ambient conditions. The matured and of uniform size fruits of custard apple cv. Balanagar were selected for experiment and after ripening of fruits, they were analyzed for physiological, biochemical observations and sensory evaluation. During storage and ripening, fruits were observed on every day for physiological weight loss and fruit softening. Results showed that, fruits stored at temperature 15°C and RH 85-90% (T1R3) recorded lowest physiological weight loss i.e. 0.43, 0.99 and 1.43% on 1, 2 and 3 days after storage, respectively. Also, it took maximum number of days to ripe (9), followed by fruits ripened at temperature 20°C and RH 85-90% (T2R3) took 6 days for ripening. In case of biochemical observations, fruits ripened at temperature 20°C and RH 85-90% (T2R3) recorded good value for pH (5.31), titrable acidity (0.27%), TSS (22.17°Brix), reducing sugar (14.52%), total sugar (14.67%) and ascorbic acid (12.50%). Also, it showed maximum overall acceptability score (8.1) along with acceptable score for fruit color (8.2), pulp color (8.6), flavour (7.8) and taste (7.6). From the present investigation it could be concluded that fruits can be ripened at temperature 20°C and RH 85-90% for minimum physiological weight loss, more ripening period (6 days), acceptable sensory score and physicochemical properties.ThesisItem Open Access COMPARATIVE PERFORMANCE OF ONION UNDER DIFFERENT FERTILIZER LEVELS IN SURFACE AND DRIP IRRIGATION(Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra., 2019-09-30) ZANJAD, AJIT BANSI.; Pimpale, Dr. A. R.The field experiment to study the “Comparative performance of onion under different fertilizer levels in surface and drip irrigation” was conducted at Chilli and Vegetable Research Unit, Dr. PDKV, Akola, which comes under Western Vidarbha Region of Maharashtra, during rabi season of 2018-19. The experiment, comprising of 4 treatments with 5 replications was laid out in randomized block design. In treatment T1, the fertilizers were applied through soil application with check basin irrigation. The fertigation levels of 60%, 80% and 100% recommended dose of NPKS were applied through drip irrigation (T2, T3 and T4). Plant spacing was 15 x 10 cm. The total water requirement in treatment T1 (soil application with 100% RDF) was found 1000 mm, whereas in fertigation treatments using drip irrigation, the total 623.19 mm water was applied. This reflects saving of 37.68% water in drip irrigation as compared to surface irrigation (check basin) traditionally used for onion crop. Treatment T2 (fertigation with 100% RDF) showed maximum values of growth parameters like plant height, number of leaves per plant and neck thickness during crop period. The highest values of polar diameter and equatorial diameter were recorded in treatment T2 followed by treatments T3, T4 and T1. The maximum average weight of bulb (g), highest total bulb yield (t/ha), highest marketable bulb yield (t/ha) and maximum per cent marketable bulb yield was recorded in treatment T2 (fertigation with 100% RDF). All these parameters were recorded lowest in treatment T1 (soil application with 100% RDF). Bolters percentage and rotten bulb percentage was found maximum in treatment T1 (soil application of fertilizers) whereas these values were lower in fertigation treatments indicating the superiority of fertigation over soil application of fertilizers. Highest percentage of double bulbs was found in treatment T4. The bulbs recorded under treatment T4 exhibited highest value of TSS followed by T3, while the bulbs observed under soil application of fertilizers showed lowest value of TSS. The fertigation treatment T2 showed maximum B:C ratio of 2.77 whereas it was lowest (1.85) in treatment T1. The other fertigation treatments gave higher B:C ratios indicating the importance of using drip irrigation and fertigation technology for water and nutrient management in onion. The treatment T2 (Fertigation with 100% RDF) was found best having highest B:C ratio and as water saving treatment, can be recommended for maximum onion production in Western Vidarbha region.