SALALE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Review on the Effect of Different Mulching Materials on the Growth Performance of Onion
(Allium Cepal.)

By:

Group Members ID NO/

1. Muluken Habtamu AGR/2127/10

2. Gebresenit Gedamu AGR/1990/10

3. Yalemsew Menigist AGR/2244/10
4. Aschalew Ayifokiru AGR/1827/10
5. Bikis Jember AGR/1876/10
6. Abriham Ewintu AGR/1778/10
7. Worikinesh Bekele AGR/2232/10

Advisor: Mr. Samuel Enigda (MSc)

Fitche, Ethiopia
January, 2020
submitted to

Department of Horticulture,

Fitche, Ethiopia
January, 2020
 A research proposal Paper:
Review on the Effect of Different Mulching Materials on the Growth
Performance of Onion (Allium Cepal.)

BY

Supervisor: Samuel Engida (MSc.)

Submitted to
Department of Horticulture

December, 2019

Fiche, Ethiopia
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
CONTENTS page

i
 LIST OF ABBREVIATION

CSA Central Statistics Agency

EARO Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organization
FAOSTAT Food and Agriculture Organization Statistics
MoARD Ministry of agriculture and research development
MT Metric Ton
USDA United States of Development Agriculture

LIST OF TABLE

ii
iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First of all, we would like to give my huge thanks to Almighty God who keeps us in peace
condition on overall of our activities. Next, I would like to give my deepest and gratitude
thanks to my Advisor Semuel Engida (MSc.) who helped me through overall guidance and
shaping of this seminar paper. Finally all our heartfelt and deepest appreciation goes to Salale
University, College of Agriculture and ICT center staff members, for supporting and
facilitating my tasks.

iv
 1. INTRODUCTION
Onion (Allium cepaL.) is member of the family Alliaceae and the most widely grown
herbaceous biennial vegetable crop with cross pollinated and monocotyledonous behavior
having diploid chromosome number (2n = 16) (Hanelt, 1990). Onion is different from the
other edible species of Allium for its single bulb and is usually propagated by true botanical
seed. It is believed to have originated in Afghanistan, the area of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan,
western Tien Shan and India while western Asia and the areas around the Mediterranean Sea
are secondary centers of diversity (Saud et al., 2013).

It has been cultivated for more than 5000 years and does not exist as a wild species (Schwarth
and Mohan, 1999). Onions are used primarily as flavoring agents and their distinctive
pungency and form essential ingredients for flavoring varieties of dishes, sauces, soup,
sandwiches, snacks as onion rings etc. And which increase the taste of food (Rahim, 1992);
freshly cut onions often cause a stinging sensation in the eyes of people nearby, due to the
presence of a volatile oil (allyl propyl disulphide). The mature bulb contains some starch,
appreciable quantities of sugars, some protein, and vitamins A, B, and C (Elhag and Osman,
2013;Opara, 2003). It is also one of the richest sources of flavonoid in the human diet and
flavonoid consumption has been associated with a reduced risk of cancer, heart disease and
diabetes. In addition it is known for anti-bacterial, antiviral, anti-allergenic and anti-
inflammatory potential and used as preservative and medicinal plant (MoARD, 2009; Saud et
al., 2013).
The world production of onion is about 3944 million MT peryearsfrom 3.17 million ha (CSA,
2014); more than 90% of which is consumed within the countries of production. About
9,745.36 tons of onion seed was produced in the world with maximum seed yield (17.269
t/ha) was obtained in the world (CSA, 2014). With respect to its importance; onion stands
second, following tomato and with respect to production, it ranks fourth in the world
(Abdolhossein and Sayed, 2015). Onion is grown in more than 175 countries in the world.
Based on the average production from 2008-2013, the world’s top producer of onion is China,
contributing an average of 31% to the total production followed by India (10%) (FAOSTAT,
2011; CSA, 2014).

In Ethiopia itranks first among Allium species both in area coverage and total production
(CSA, 2014). Its area coverage was 24,357.7 ha and total annual production was 219,735.3

1
tons, but in the year of 2014/2015 the production has increased to 230,745.2 tons and the
average productivity of onion was increased from 9 to 10.1 t/ha (CSA, 2014, 2015) and its
seed yield per hectare was 1.3 tons (Lemma and Shimels, 2003). As compared to the world
average, Ethiopia's onion seed yield per hectare is very low; this may be due to effect of
genotype, locality, season, soil type, and method of seed production (Brewster, 1994; Saud et
al., 2013).

Improper cultural management practices, lack of enough soil moisture and lack of improved
varieties are attributed to this lower yield. Mulching is an important technology which
decreases the loss of soil water through evaporation and conserve soil moisture thus reduces
the irrigation requirements, increasing root development, promote faster crop development,
reducing weed attack and induce earlier harvest of crop (Vavrina and Roka, 2000; Mahajanet
al. 2007; Singh, 2018) but along with organic amendment resulted better yield performance.
In soil management relationships, mulching has been reported to influence organic matter
content, activity of microorganisms, availability of soil nutrients, control of erosion, soil
compaction and regulating soil temperature (Stowell, 2000; Grigget al. 2006). Mulching
improves the soil environment for increasing crop growth, development and yield. Rhee et al.
(1990) showed that organic amendment and mulching increases the efficiency of applied N
fertilizer by reducing leaching and evaporation loss of nutrients. Different types of mulches
including rice straw and polythene significantly increased the growth and yield of onion
(Islam et al. 2002; Singh, 2018).It is important to investigate the effect of mulching on the
growth performance of onion. Therefore,the aim of this paper is to review the effect of
different mulching materials on the growth performance of onion.

2
 2. LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1. Background of the Crop
Onion is an herbaceous, biennial and monocot crop. It takes two seasons for seed production,
and during the first season bulbs are formed while flower stalks and seeds are developed in
the second season (Brewster, 2008). Onion is grown mainly for its bulb, although the green
shoots are important to prepare salad. Onion requires deep alluvial and friable or sandy loam
soil with a pH of 6.0-6.8 (Brewster, 1994).
The onion bulb consists of the swollen bases (sheaths) of bladed leaves surrounding swollen
bladeless leaves. Each leaf consists of a blade and sheath; the blade may or may not be
distinctive. The sheath develops to encircle the growing point and forms a tube that encloses
younger leaves and the shoot apex. Collectively, the grouping of these sheaths comprises the
pseudo stem. Leaves arise from the short, compressed, disc like stem which continues to
increase in diameter with maturation and resembles an inverted cone (Bosekeng, 2012). The
onion skin is formed from the dry paper like outermost leaf scales that lose their freshness
during bulbing. Major bulb quality features are uniformity of shape, size and skin colour,
pungency and dry matter (Rubatzky and Yamaguchi, 1997; Bosekeng, 2012).
The test and odor characteristics of the alliums are their major attribute. Other features are the
umbel inflorescence, flower with nectars, a three-chambered ovary and a basic chromosome
number of eight for the cultivated species. The major flavor of alliums results from the
activity of the enzymes, alliinase, acting on certain sulfur-containing compounds (S. alkyl
cysteine sulfoxides) when tissues are broken or crushed. Onion roots are shallow, most occur
within 15-20 cm of the surface, and seldom extends horizontally beyond 50 cm. Onion roots
are short lived, being continuously produced. Roots rarely have branch and rarely increase in
diameter (Brewster, 1994). The terminal inflorescences develop from the ring like apical
meristem scapes and generally elongate well above the leaves and ranges in height from 30 to
more than 100 cm. The scape is the stem internodes between the spathe and the last foliage
leaf. At first, the scape is solid but, by differential growth, becomes thin walled and hollow
(Bosekeng, 2012.

The number of scapes that develop depends on the number of sprouted lateral buds. A
spherical umbel is borne in each scape and can range from 2 to 15 cm in diameter. The umbel
is an aggregate of many flowers at various stages of development; usually there are 200-600
small individual flowers. The flowering periods may last four or more weeks. Flowers are
perfect, having six white petals, six stamens and a three carpel pistil. Flowers have nectars, an

3
attractant to pollinating insects, usually honey bees. Alliums have perfect flowers but, cannot
self-pollinate because the male anthers shed pollen before the female stigma is receptive.
Therefore, they cross-pollinate via insects (flies and bees) or by manually pollinating (hand-
pollinating) the flowers in a controlled environment. Seed producers must keep in mind that
varieties of the same species will cross-pollinate with other varieties of the same species
(Currah and Proctor, 1990).
After pollination, fertilization of ovules starts within 12 h and is complete in 3–4 days.
Pollination itself stimulates the initial development of ovules and ovaries. In fertilized ovules,
the endosperm nuclei start to divide and cell division and expansion by the embryo occurs 5–6
days later. The embryo reaches its full development when the seed attains maximum dry
weight. Initially the endosperm is liquid, and this is termed as the ‘milk stage’ (Jilani, 2004;
Bosekeng, 2012).
But at about seventeen days after pollination, cell walls develop within the endosperm and it
progresses to the pasty ‘dough stage’. At this point, the seed coat starts to turn black. Later on
seed attains its maximum fresh weight at about 30 days after flowering. Up to this point, seed
dry weight growth is near exponential and seed dry weight is then about half its maximum.
The endosperm then becomes solid and the seed reaches its maximum dry weight. After
flowering, life completed and on maximum maturity day, the flower turns to give seed. The
seeds may be up to 300 per gram (Currah and Proctor, 1990).

2.2. Onion Production in Ethiopia

In recent years onion is becoming popular vegetable in Ethiopia. Shallots were the traditional
alliaceous crop of the Ethiopian high land, but research efforts on onion in the country have
resulted in the development of varieties which are currently under wider production in
different parts of the country. The most popular of these is ‘Adama Red’ (Lemma and
Shimeles, 2003). Moreover, a new cultivar ‘Melkam’ has also been selected from the Indian
cv. ‘Pusa Red’, suitable for lowland irrigated production. Onion is grown by both small scale
farmers and commercial growers especially under irrigation. Ethiopia has a great potential to
produce the crop throughout a year both for domestic use and export market. Its higher yield
potential, availability of desirable cultivars for various uses, ease of propagation by seed, high
domestic (bulb and seed) and export (bulb, cut flowers) markets in fresh and processed forms
is making onion increasingly important in Ethiopia. The major production is in the rift valley
areas, besides bulb production, there is a great potential for seed production in these areas.
Experiment from Melkassa Research Centre showed the cooler seasons of October to

4
February as suitable period for high seed yield reaching about (1.2 t/ha). The problem behind
onion seed production is the poor keeping quality of seeds and loses of its viability within a
year; therefore, it is important to produce fresh seed every year (Griffiths et al., 2002; Olani
and Fikre, 2010).

Onion seed production can bring a high economic benefit for small scale farmers (Lemma and
Shimeles, 2003). Onion seed prices are very high which provides a good motivation for
prospective commercial producers of seeds. Currently onion seed is being produced by
farmers and investors around Melkassa, Awash, along the road to Zeway and its surroundings.
The company collects and distributes the seeds in local market. There are two onion seed
production methods, the seed-to-seed and bulb-to-seed methods (Olani and Fikre, 2010). The
bulb to seed method has advantage of maintaining seed quality, allows rouging off color,
misshapen, splits, rotten bulbs, sprout bulbs and require short period of time for seed
production. Whereas seed to seed method has the advantage speed up the production practices
without affecting the variety’s quality (Olani and Fikre, 2010).

2.3. Importance of Mulching

Mulching is an important practice which helps to retain soil moisture and helps in control of
temperature fluctuations, improves physical, chemical and biological properties of soil, as it
adds nutrients to the soil and ultimately enhances the growth and yield of crops (Maji and
Das, 2008 a, b). Mulching may be natural or artificial, for the past decades people are more
concern about the organically produced foods (Maji, 2013). So, use of natural organic
mulching is now getting popularity. Mulching conserves soil moisture from 2.1-2.8% more
than non-mulched one. Mulching also manage weeds which are serious problem in onion
which limits the crop yield and decreased profits. Mulching using paddy straw saw dust, neem
leaves have observed to suppress weed growth effectively in onion (Umar et al, 2000; Maji,
2013).

Mulching with plant residues and/or synthetic materials is a well-established technique for
increasing the profitability of many crops (Gimenezet al 2002). Soil temperature is a crucial
edaphic factor that effecting root activity related to water and nutrient uptake that affect crop
growth and productivity. Many factors control soil temperature but only mulching and soil
moisture are subject to some manipulation. Although, onion is grow under diverse climatic
conditions, but it grows well under mild climate without extreme heat or cold or excessive
rainfall. Very low temperature at an early stage results in bolting and sudden rise in

5
temperature favour early maturity and small sized bulbs. Shrinking groundwater resources
and higher energy consumption for pumping, there is an urgent need to devise management
practices for efficient use of limited water (Singh, 2018). The combined practice of mulching
and irrigation scheduling appears to be very promising in achieving this goal. This can be
carried out by mulching which involves the use of organic or inorganic materials to cover the
cropped soil surface. Mulching has the potential of reducing evaporation, conserve soil
moisture, modify soil temperature, and improve aeration. Crop residues and grasses are
typical organic materials commonly used for mulching, while synthetic materials (e.g.
polyethylene sheet of different thickness and colours) are typical inorganic materials used for
mulching (Singh, 2018).

2.4. The Effect of Different Mulching Materials on the Agronomic Parameters of Onion
Significant increases in bulb yield and other agronomic parameters of onions observed in the
trials is a phenomenon frequently associated with mulching (Castella and Quang (2006) and
Haim and Lesley (2002) have reported that vegetables experience enhanced growth and
development as a result of utilizing organic or so called summer mulches, since most of the
advantages of such mulches are realized in hot weather. The mechanism of mulch activity
may be summed up in the following: Mulches protect the soil from compacting rains, foot
traffic, drying winds, and heat. The mulches help to control weed proliferation (by excluding
light from germinating seedlings) thereby reducing competition for light, water, and
nutrients.The resulting fewer cultivations mean less crop-damaging root pruning (Hanada,
1991). By reducing the loss of soil moisture, mulches lessen the frequency of necessary
watering, and the vegetable suffers less in dry spell periods. Organic mulches also increase
the water absorption rate of soils. The reduced soil temperatures under organic mulches
encourage root growth in the upper soil layer where there is more oxygen and fertilizer. The
mulch reduces the splattering of soil on vegetable leaves and fruit during rains or sprinkling.
This can reduce losses due to soil-borne diseases (Steiner et al., 1998; Derpsch, 2001;
Westerfield, 2013).

Table 1. Effects of different mulches on the agronomic parameters and mean yields of drip
irrigated onions for combined two production cycles.

Treatment Number Bulb Bulb Days to 50% Yield

Plant height of leaves diameter weight Toppling (t-ha-1)
No mulch 46.302 8.99 5.07 65.7 77 3.2
Grass straw 49.079 9.8 5.71 175.16 88 10.58
Rice straw 49.81 9.47 5.24 139.42 83 6.63

6
LSD 0.5 2.57 1.25 0.45 40.55 1.98 2.52

2.4.1. Effect of Mulching Materials on the Bulb Size (Diameter) and Bulb Weight of
Onion
Baba (2013) reported that, the biggest bulbs were obtained when the onions were mulched
with grass and bulb size under this treatment was significantly larger than in the other
treatments. It is apparent that the large size of bulbs translated into heavy bulbs (and enhanced
yield).The bulb weight of the mulched treatments had showed significantly greater variation
than the control, with the grass mulch treatment being highest. According to Baba (2013)
report, field observations during his trials indicated that Andropogan grass as mulch was more
„stable‟ on the onion beds and spread more compactly and uniformly than the rice straw
mulch and was thus more effective mulch in this regard. More active vegetative growth of the
grass straw treatment onions in comparison to the rice straw one may have led to enhanced
bulb size and weight as more assimilates were translocated into bulb formation than in the
other treatments. Anisuzzamanet al. (2009) also demonstrated that mulching enhances the
development and size of all the agronomic parameters of onions.

2.4.2. Effect of Mulching Materials on the Days To 50% Toppling??????

According to Baba (2013), mulching with organic material, such as grass, clearly prolonged
days to maturity in onion production. A number of researchers have demonstrated that
mulching with materials such as grass stray, compared to the other treatments, such as, no
mulching, helped to create a more conducive soil micro-environment for the onion plant to
grow and develop more fully (Hanada, 1991). Lament (1993) however both reported
otherwise for plastic mulching. The latter reported early harvest of onions by polythene
mulching while Lament reported that black plastic mulch can result in 2‒14 day’s earlier
harvest of vegetables as against clear plastic mulching which can result in 21-day earlier
harvest.

2.4.3. Effect of Mulching Materials on the Yields of Onion

Mulching with many types of organic materials, including chopped grass and clover material
has been demonstrated to positively contribute to improved plant growth, development and
enhanced bulb yield of onions (Russo et al., 1997; Hanson et al., 2001; Hugh et al., 2003).
Further, earlier researchers have demonstrated that in comparison to unmatched soils, the crop
yields of mulched soils (depending on factors such as geographic location, soil type and
nature of mulch) can be enhanced two- or three-folds in vegetables (Knowler and Bradshaw

7
(2007) and Hoppset al. (2008) and other researchers have showed that mulching irrigated
vegetables with organic materials such as Andropogan grass is a critical strategy for
enhancing and sustaining the productivity of small and medium onion cultivation.

2.4.4. Effect of mulching on the length of flowering stalk

Rubelet al. (2014) reported that, significant influence on the length of the flowering stalk was
recorded due to the effect of mulching. The maximum length of flowering stalk (55.07cm)
was obtained from black polythene mulch, whereas non-mulched plants produced the
minimum length of flowering stalk (48.93cm). With mulch, plant received more soil moisture
which might have promoted the plant growth resulting in the longer flowering stalk
development (Rubelet al., 2014). Another person Mia (1996) also previously observed longer
flowering stalk in the plants with mulching treatment.

2.4.5. Effect of mulching on the number of flowers per umbel

According to Rubelet al. (2014) mulching had significant effect on the number of flowers per
umbel and among the treatments of mulches, black polythene mulch produced the highest
number of flowers per umbel (179.27), whereas the control treatment gave the lowest
(135.78) number of flowers per umbel (Table 1). It is apparent from the result that black
polythene mulch increased the production of number of flowers per umbel. Rubelet al. (2014)
suggested that this might have happened because of prevailing favourable moisture and
suitable temperature condition of soil that helped in higher vegetative growth and
subsequently greater number of flowers per umbel.

2.4.6. Effect of mulching on the number of seeded fruits per umbel

A significant variation was found due to the effect of mulching on the seeded fruits per umbel.
It was found that the maximum number of seeded fruits per umbel (119.85) was found in
black polythene mulching, which was statistically identical with water hyacinth mulching
(115.94). However, the control treatment had shown the lowest (110.56) of seeded fruits per
umbel (Rubelet al., 2014). All mulches had the positive effect in generating and retaining
greater number of seeded fruits per umbel over the control (Rubelet al., 2014). Mia (1996)
and Anisuzzaman (2009) found that mulching significantly increased the number of seeded
fruits per umbel compared to the unmulched treatment. The increase in the number of seeded
fruits per umbel in mulched treatment was probably associated with conservation of soil
moisture and improved micro- climate both beneath and above the soil surface. This suitable
condition was conducive for viable and healthy pollens to carry out the normal fertilization of

8
the mulched plant. But controlled plants were unable to produce viable pollen due to adverse
micro- climatic conditions (Mia, 1996 and Anisuzzaman, 2009; Rubelet al., 2014)).

2.5. The Effect of Different Mulching Materials on the percentage germination of Onion
Singh (2018) reported that significant influence of mulches on germination percentage was
recorded. The highest germination (83.90%) was observed from black polythene mulch
followed by the water hyacinth (82.31%) that was statistically similar with each other. White
polythene mulch gave 80.50% germination, which was statistically similar with water
hyacinth mulch. The lowest germination percentage (69.54%) was found from non mulch
treatment.

9
3. MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1. Description of the Study Area
The study will be conducted at Salale University General Tadesa Biru Campus, College of
Agriculture and Natural Resource Department of Horticulture in 2019/20. Fitche is located
north of 112km away from Addis Ababa with 9° 48' 0'' N latitude and 38° 42' 0'' E longitude
on the altitude of 2750 meter above sea level. The amount of rain fall that the areas received
1150 mm annually. Fitche district is characterized by a highland agro-ecological zone which
has a cold condition with annual average temperature of 16.5◦c. The dominant soil type is
clay with pH range from 6.2-6.4.

3.2. Experimental Materials

The field work material that will be used during research work is onion seed, meter (tape
meter), ruler, pegs, typing paper, fertilizer (UREA and DAP), hoe, rake, axes, watering cane,
shovel, weighing balance, buckets, calculator, pen, pencil, note book, spade, rope and land
will be used.

3.3. Experimental Procedure

The experimental filed will be digging and leveled. Weed and unwanted materials will be
removed and onion seed will be sown at nursery site then during 3-4 true leaves stages
seedling will be transplanted to the main field for the experiments. The seedlings will be
planted in a row using a manual row maker. The full dose of N, P and K will be applied and
all management practices will be exercised uniformly.

3.4. Experimental Treatment, Design

10
3.5. Field layout and Randomization

0.5m

T3B T4 T2 T1
B1

0.5m

B2 T2 T1 T3 T4

B3
T1 T2 T3 T4

 Path way between blocks = 0.5m

 Total area of each plot = ?
 Spacing between plots =0.5m

3.6. Data collection

Data will be collected from four randomly selected and tagged plants from the central row
excluding the border. The row will be different with different intra row spacing and treatment.

Data Collection and Measurements:





11
3.7. Data Analysis

The collected data will be checked for assumptions of ANOVA using SAS computer software
version and subjected to ANOVA following the standard procedure given by and Gómez
(1984).After fitting ANOVA model for those significant interactions, a mean separation will
be carried out using LSD method at 5% level of significance. All the statistical analyses will
be carried out using Genstat soft package.

12
4. Work Plan

The experiment will be progressed for four consecutive months start from the February up to
the end of May. Major activities that are going to be done in this duration of experiment time
are illustrated in the blow table (Table 1)

Table 2 Work plans

No Activity Month

Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May

1 Proposal title selection and 

writing

2 Proposal edition 

3 Proposal defines 

4 Land preparation 

5 Seed collection 

6 Field layout 

7 Sowing 

8 Weeding 

9 Data collection 

10 Data analysis 

11 Report writing and editing 

12 Report submission 

13 Report defines 

5. BUDGET AND LOGISTICS

13
 5.1. Stationary Cost
Table 2. Stationary Costs

No Item Unit Quantity Unit Price Subtotal

Price

1 Paper Desta 120 1 120

2 Pen Doze 2 10 20

3 Print Page 30 5 150

4 Ruler 1 12 12

5 Note book 1 20 20

Total price 322

14
5.2. Labor Cost
Table 3 labour cost

No Labour quantity Duration Payment Sub total

/month rate/month

1 Field assistant 1 2 150 300

2 Daily labourer 1 2 200 400

3 Guard 1 4 200 800

Total 1500
price

5.3. Supplies and Input Cost

Table 4 Input Cost

No Item unit quantity Single Subtotal

price price
1 Seed of Kg 0.25 ?
onion
2 Urea Kg 0.28 ?
3 Dap Kg 0.35 ?

Total price ?

5. REFERENCES

Anisuzzaman M., Asrafuzzaman M., Mohd. Razi Ismail U. M. K. & Rahim M. A. (2009).
Planting time and mulching effect on onion development and seed production. Afri. J.
Biotechnol. 8(3):412‒416.

15
Anisuzzaman, M., M. Ashrafuzzaman, M. K. Ismail and M. A. Uddin, Rahim. 2009. Planting
time and mulching effect on onion development and seed production. African J. of
Biot. Vol. 8 (3), pp. 412-416.
Baba I. Y. Inusah, Alexander NimoWiredu, Julius Yirzagla, Michael Mawunya, and
Mohammed Haruna.2013. Effects of different mulches on the yield and productivity
of drip irrigated onions under tropical conditions. IJAAR (1) 133-140.
Bosekeng, G., 2012. Response of onion (Allium cepaL.) to sowing date and plant
population.MSc Thesis, University of Free State, Bloemfontein.
Brewster, J.L., 1994. Onions and other vegetable Alliums.CAB publishing. UK. 321p.
Brewster, J.L., 2008. Onions and other vegetable alliums.2nd edn.CAB International,
Wallingford, United Kingdom.
Castella J. C. &Quang D. D. (2006). DoiMoi in the Mountains. Land use changes and
farmers‟ livelihood strategies in BacKan Province. Vietnam. The Agricultural
publishing House Hanoi.
CSA (Central Statistical Agency) 2014. Agricultural Sample Survey Volume I, Report on area
and production of major Crops, Private peasant holding, MeherSeason Statistical
Bulletin 532, Ministry of Agriculture, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 19p.
CSA (Central Statistical Agency), 2015. Agricultural Sample Survey Volume I, Report on
area and production of major Crops, Private peasant holding, MeherSeason Statistical
Bulletin 278, Ministry of Agriculture, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 22p.
CSA (Central Statistics Agency), 2013. Area and production of major crops.Agricultural
sample survey 2012/2013, private peasant holdings, Meher season, Statistical Bulletin
532, Addis Ababa.
Currah, L. and D. J. Ockendon, 1978. Onions in Tropical Regions, NRI, Bull. 35,Chatham,
Maritime, Kent UK.
Currah, L. and F.J. Proctor, 1990.Onion in tropical regions.Bulletin 35.National Resource
Institute.Chatham, U.K. 91-93, 151p.
Derpsch R. (2001). Conservation tillage, no-tillage and related technologies. In: Garcia Torres
L., Benites J. and Martinez Viela A., (Eds). 1st World Congress on Conservation
Agriculture.Springer, Madrid, Spain. Pp. 181-190.
Elhag, A.Z. and H.M. Osman, 2013.Effect of Plant Spacing on Onion (Allium cepaL.)Seeds
Quality.Universal Journal of Applied Science, 1(2): 52-55.

16
Erenstein O. (2003). Smallholder conservation farming in the tropics and sub-tropics: A guide
to the development and dissemination of mulching with crop residues and cover crops.
Agric., Ecosyst.&Environ. 100: 17‒37.
FAOSTAT, 2011.Statistics division. Retrieved 08 June 2011.http://faostat.fao.org. 45
Gimenez C, Otto R F and Castilla N (2002) Productivity of leaf and non vegetable crops
under direct cover.SciHortic 94: 1-11.
Griffiths, G., L. T. Trueman, B. Crowther, B. Thomas, B. Smith. 2002. Onions- A global
benefit to health. John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.
Grigg, A. H., Sheridan, G. J., Pearce, A. B. and Mulligan, D. R. (2006).The effect of organic
mulch amendments on the physical and chemical properties and revegetation success
of a saline-sodicminespoil from central Queensland, Australia. Australian Journal of
Soil Research, 44(2), 97-105. https://doi.org/10.1071/SR05047
Gurveer Singh and C B Singh. 2018. Residue mulch and irrigation effects on onion
productivity in a subtropical environment. International Journal of Agricultural Research and
Review: ISSN-2360-7971, Vol. 6(4): pp 701-711.
Haim D. R. & Lesley C. (2002). Allium crop science: Recent advances. CABI Gardening. Pp.
200, 220, 231, 420 & 442.
Hanada T. (1991). The effect of mulching and row covers on vegetable production. Food and
Fertilizer Technology Center (FFTC), Taipei, Taiwan ROC.
Hanelt, P. (1990). "Taxonomy, Evolution, and History."In Onions and Allied Crops, edited by
D. Haim, L. Rabinowitch and L. James Brewster, 1-26. Boca Raton, Fla.: CRC Press.
Hanson O., Lienhard P., Seguy L., Tuan H. D. &Duanh L. Q. (2001). Development of direct
sowing and mulching techniques as alternative to slash-and-burn systems in northern
Vietnam. Conservation agriculture: A worldwide challenge. First World Congress on
conservation agriculture. Madrid, Spain.1-5 October 2001. Vol. 2. Offered
contributions.Pp.29‒33.
Hopps P. R., Sayre K. & Gupta R. (2008).The role of conservation agriculture in sustainable
agriculture.Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B. Biol.
Sc. 363:543‒555.
Hugh R., Anne-Kristin L., Sissel H. &Steinar D. (2003). Yield responses and nutrient
utilization with the use of chopped grass and clover material as surface mulches in an
organic vegetable growing system. J. Sustain. Prod. Syst. 21(1):63‒90.

17
Islam, M. N., Ahmed, S. U., Hossain, M. M. and Chowdhury, S. (2002). Effect of mulch and
bulb size on growth of onion.Pakistan Journal of Biological Science, 5(6), 648-
650.https://doi.org/10.3923/pjbs.2002.648.650
Jilani, M.S., 2004. Studies on the management strategies for bulb and seed production of
different cultivars of onion (Allium cepaL.).M.Sc. dissertation, North West Frotier
Province of Pakistan.Agriculture University, Peshawar, Pakistan.
Knowler D. & Bradshaw B. (2007). Farmers‟ adoption of conservation agriculture: A review
and synthesis of recent research. Food Policy 32:25‒48.
Lament Jr. W. J. (1993). Plastic mulches for the production of vegetables.Hort.Technol.3(1).
Lemma, D. and A. Shimeles, 2003. Research experiences in onion production. Research
Report No. 55, EARO, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Lemma, D., 1998.Seed production guideline for tomatoes, onion and hot pepper.Institute of
Agricultural Research (IAR). 22p.
Lemma, D., 2004. Onion Production Pamphlet (Amharic version). EARO, Melkassa Research
center.
Lemma, D., and A. Shimels, K. Selamawit and A. Chimdo, 2006. The vegetable seed sector
in Ethiopia: Current Status and Future Prospects .EHSS, Proceedings of the Inaugural
and Third National Horticultural Work shop, Ethiopia. 1:103-109.
M. H. RUBEL, F. B. BOBY, A. B. SIDDIQUE, K. HOSSEN and M. S. SULTANA. 2014.
Effect of Mulching On the Seed Production of Onion. Int. J. Sustain. Agril. Tech.
10(11): 08-14.
Mahajan, G., Sharda, R., Kumar, A. and Singh, K. G. (2007).Effect of plastic mulch on
economizing irrigation water and weed control in baby corn sown by different
methods. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 2(1), 19-26.
Maji, S. (2013). Different Farming Options to Reduce Pesti- cide Load in Crop and
Environment. In: Green Chemis- try and sustainable Agriculture Practices: a Step to-
wards a Better Future, Ed.- Dr. T. Chattopadhyay and Dr. B. Bhowmik. Pub: Council
for MS Academic. 45- 65 pp.
Maji, S. and Das, B. C. (2008a). Effect of organic and inor- ganic mulches on vegetative
growth and yield of guava cv. L-49. Environment and Ecology, 26(3A) :1292-1293
Maji, S. and Das, B. C. (2008b).Response of mulching on fruit quality and yield of guava
(PsidiumguajavaL.). Environment and Ecology, 26(4): 1630-1631

18
Mia, M. H. A. 1996.Effect of mulch and different levels of N and K on the growth, bulb yield
and seed yield of onion. MS Thesis, Department of Hortculture, BAU,
Mymensingh.pp.75-76.
MoARD (Ministry of Agriculture and rural Development), 2009.Rural Capacity Building
project.Course for Training of trainers on improved horticultural crop technologies.
pp. 5-19.
Olani, N. and M. Fikre 2010.Onion seed production techniques.A Manual for Extension
Agents and Seed Producers Assela Ethiopia.
Opara, L.U., 2003. Onion: Post-Harvest Operation. Massey University, Palmerstone North,
New Zealand.
Rahim, M.A. 1992. Spices and plantation crops in National Economic.Proceeding of the sixth
National Horticultural Convention and Symposium, held at Bangladesh Agricultural
University, Mymensingh during 1617 April 1992. pp. 24-29.
Rahim, M.A., M. Anisuzzaman, M. Ashrafuzzaman, Ismail, M. Razi, K. Uddin, 2009.
Planting time and mulching effect on onion development and seed production. African
Journal of Biotechnology 8:412-416. 48
Rhee, K. M., Yoon, J. H. and Park, J. K. (1990).Effect of polythene film mulching on the
changes of soil chemical properties during the sesame cropping season. Res. Rep. Rur.
Adm. Soil Fert. Abstr. 54(9), 116-27
Rubatzky, V.E and M. Yamagunchi, 1997.World Vegetables; Principles, Production, and
Nutritive Value 2nd ed. International Thomson publishing.804 p.
Russo V. M., Cartwrught B. &Webebber III C. I. (1997). Mulching effects on erosion of soil
beds and on yield of autumn and spring planted vegetables. J. Biol. Agric. Hortic.
14(2):85‒93.
Saud, S., C. Yajun, M. Razaq, M. Luqman, S. Fahad, M. Abdullah, and A. Sadiq, 2013.Effect
of potash levels and row spacing on onion yield.Journal of Biology Agriculture and
Health care, 3(16): 2013-2118.
Schwarth, H.F. and S.K. Mohan, 1999.Compendium of onion and Garlic Diseases.APS
PRESS. USA. 125p.
Steiner K. G., Derpsch R. &Koller K. H. (1998).Sustainable management of soil resources
through zero tillage. Agric. Rural Dev. 5:64‒66.
Stowell, B. (2000). Organic kiwifruit production–maintaining soil fertility and yields.
Kiwifruit, 139, 18-21.

19
Umar, M. S., Muoneke, C. O. and Magaji, M. D. (2000).Effect of intra-row spacing and
mulching materials on growth and yield of onion (Allium cepaL.).Nigeria Journal of
Agriculture Environment, 1(2)
Vavrina, C. S. and Roka, F. M. (2000).Comparison of plastic mulch and bare ground
production and economics for short-day onion in a semitropical
environment.Horticultural. Technol. 10, 326-333.
Westerfield R. R. (2013). Mulching vegetables.The University of Georgia, College of
Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES).Cooperative Extension.

20