Effect of different planting time on the performance of onion varieties under poplar block plantation
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Date
2020
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Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
Abstract
The present study entitled “Effect of different planting time on the performance of onion
varieties under poplar block plantation” was carried out at research area of the Department of
Forestry & Natural Resources, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana for two years 201819
and 2019-20. The growth, yield and quality parameters of onion varieties planted at
different times under poplar block plantation were studied. The experiment was laid out in
split-split plot design with the two environments (poplar and open) as main plot, three
planting times (Mid-December, End-December and Mid-January) as sub-plots and six
varieties (POH-1, PRO-6, PRO-7, PWO-2, PYO-1 and Punjab Naroya) as sub-sub plots. The
soil of the experimental area was loamy sand in texture. Organic carbon content and available
N, P and K was observed higher under poplar based agroforestry system than open
conditions. The tree growth parameters such as tree height, diameter at breast height and
crown spread increased with increase in age of trees (4 to 5 years). Maximum leaf fall under
4 and 5 year plantation was observed from mid-November to end December and complete
leafless stage was achieved by mid-January. Leaf area index (LAI) of poplar trees started
increasing from mid-March and reached maximum from May onwards with the development
of full-fledged canopy. The average temperature was recorded higher under open conditions
as compared to poplar plantation whereas relative humidity followed opposite trend of
temperature. Under poplar plantation, PAR started increasing from January till first fortnight
of April and then it declined. The variety PRO-7 recorded the highest (25.7 t/ha) bulb yield
amongst the varieties screened, while mid-December (25.3 t/ha) planted crop gave
significantly higher yield than end-December and mid-January planted crop. The percentage
reduction in bulb yield recorded under 4-year-old canopy was 34.35 while, under 5-year- old
canopy it increased to 36.70. Amongst different varieties, PRO-7 revealed better growth with
maximum plant height, number of leaves and desired neck thickness. The average bulb
weight (69.04 g, 57.10 g) and bulb diameter (5.31 cm, 5.17 cm) was recorded higher in
variety PRO-7 during both the years. Maximum fresh and dry weight of plants were observed
in mid-December planting time and it decreased with further delay in planting. PRO-7 is an
early maturing variety therefore, it took minimum number of days to bulb initiation, maturity
and harvesting. PWO-2 produced significantly higher dry matter content (DMC) as well as
total soluble solids (TSS) thus better variety in quality compared to other onion varieties
screened. Therefore, based on this study it is concluded that rabi onion variety PRO-7 should
be planted in mid-December under poplar-based agroforestry for increasing productivity and
diversification of the ecosystem.
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Citation
Ankita (2020). Effect of different planting time on the performance of onion varieties under poplar block plantation. (Unpublished M.Sc. thesis). Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.