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Frontiers in Crop Improvement
Vol 11 : 230-232 (Special Issue-I) July 2023, Print ISSN : 2393-8234 Online ISSN : 2454-6011
Astha Foundation, Meerut (U.P.) India

Response of Different Spacing’s and Varietie’s on Growth and Bulb Characters of Onion
(Allium cepa L.)
Braj Kishor1, Bankey Lal1* Ashutosh Upadhyay1, Pranjal Singh1 and M.L. Meena2
1
Department of Vegetable Science, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur-208002
2
Department of Horticulture, School of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, BBAU (A Central University), Lucknow-226025
*Corresponding Author Email : bankeylal71@gmail.com

Abstract
A Field experiment was conducted during Rabi season of 2019-2020 at the field of Horticulture Research Farm, Babasaheb
Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow. The treatments comprised of three varieties i.e. V1 (Agrifound Light Red), V2
(NHRDF-Red), V3 (NHRDF-2) and three planting spacing S1 (20 × 7.5cm), S2 (20 × 10cm) and S3 (20 × 15 cm) thus forming nine
treatment combinations. These treatment combinations were laid out in a factorial randomized block design. The growth
characters (Plant height, Number of leaves /plants, Neck thickness) and Bulb characters (Bulb diameter, Bulb weight, No. of
scales, Bulb length). Maximum plant height was recorded in variety V2 (NHRDF-Red) with plant spacing S3 (20 × 15 cm) and
maximum no. of leaves recorded V3 (NHRDF-2) and spacing S3 (20 × 15 cm). Maximum neck thickness recorded in variety V1
(Agrifound Light Red) and spacing S3 (20 × 15 cm). Bulb diameter (cm) has been noted maximum in variety V 2 (NHRDF-Red)
and spacing S2 (20 × 10cm). Highest bulb weight was noted in variety V3 (NHRDF-2) and plant spacing S3 (20 x 15 cm). Highest
number of scales noted in variety V 3 (NHRDF-2) and in plant spacing S3 (20 x 15cm). The length of bulb which was indicated
maximum in variety V 2 (NHRDF-Red) and with spacing highest in S2 (20 x 10cm).

Key words : Onion, growth, bulb character, spacing and varieties

Mild flavour or colorful onion bulb i.e. Early Grano &

Introduction
Onion (Allium cepa L., 2n=16) is very essential vegetable
crop of Rabi season which belongs to Alliaceae family. Its
genus is Allium and species cepa. Onion is regarded as
queen of the kitchen (Selvaraj, 1976). This crop is native
to Central Asia. Onion is grown throughout the entire world
with some major producing countries like China, India,
USA, Turkey, Pakistan, Iran, Japan, Spain and Brazil. In
the world, India stands first in area (1293 Mha.) and ranks
second in production (23610 M tons) after China. India
exported fresh onion worth $328 million and dried onions
worth $112.3 million in financial year 2020. Export of onion
shot up 158% to Bangladesh in the April-July period of
2019-20 (ministry of commerce & industry, Government of
India). The crop is very useful for human being because it
has several nutritional and medicinal values. The
important contents like allicin, allin, and sulphites etc. are
present in onion. Onion has an anti-viral, anti-bacterial,
anti-allergenic, anti-inflammatory property and due to the
presence of flavonoids it reduces the chance of cancer
and diabetes. The antifungal property of onion is due to
presence of catechol a phenolic compound. Oil yield
methyl and propyl compounds 0.02-0.03g/100g of bulb by
steam distillation. Onion is used for treating problems
including loss of appetite, upset stomach, and gall bladder
disorder, for treating heart and blood vessel problems
including chest pain (angina) and high blood pressure and
for “preventing hardening of the arteries” atherosclerosis.
Udaipur-101is used for salad purpose and also used in
processed form like flakes powder for making pickles, etc.
(Bhachandani et al., 1980). It also acts as a very good
tonic to a nervous system and purifies blood. The
beneficial compound called ‘Quercetin’ present in onion
has shown to be powerful antioxidant. It pungency is due
to the presence of Allyl propyl disulphide, (C6 H12O2) a
volatile oil. The yield of vegetable crops can be increased
by judicious use of manures and fertilizers with proper
spacing, adequate water supply and cultural practices etc.
Materials and Methods
A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season
of October to April 2019-20 at Horticulture Research
Farm, School of Agricultural Sciences and Technology
Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University( A Central
University), Vidya Vihar Rae Bareli Road, Lucknow,
(U.P.)-226025. The experimental field which was
undertaken is geographically, situated at an elevation of
111 meter above mean sea level in the sub tropical
climate of central Uttar Pradesh at 26?56 North Latitude
80?52 east longitude. According to agro-climatic
conditions of Uttar Pradesh state, Lucknow falls under
central plains region and receives on an average 1000
mm of Rainfall; the climate ranges from 22?c to 45 ?c in
summer, minimum temperature ranging from 3.5?c -15?c
in winter and relative humidity ranging from 60-80% in
different season of the year. The soil of field was texturally
 Braj Kishor et al., 231

Table : Response of varieties and spacing on growth and bulb characters of onion.
Treatment Plant Number Neck Bulb Number Bulb Bulb
height of Leaves thickness diameter of scales weight (g) length
(cm) (cm) (cm)
(cm) (cm)
Effect of varieties (V)
Agrifound Light Red (V1) 39.84 4.34 0.713 5.69 10.66 61.71 4.86
NHRDF-Red (V2) 43.69 4.27 0.506 6.97 10.1 58.41 5.29
NHRDF-2 (V3) 40.87 4.37 0.567 6.86 11.67 61.77 5.10
SEm± 0.338 0.024 0.032 0.312 0.231 0.638 0.275
CD(P=0.05) 1.023 0.073 0.097 0.993 0.699 1.929 0.831
Effect of spacing (S)
20×7.5 (S1) 39.35 4.35 0.673 6.20 10.33 59.93 4.69
20×10 (S2) 39.70 4.27 0.578 7.14 10.22 60.10 5.72
20×15 (S3) 45.34 4.36 0.633 6.18 11.89 61.85 4.84
SEm± 0.338 0.024 0.032 0.312 0.231 0.638 0.275
CD(P=0.05) 1.023 0.073 0.097 0.993 0.699 1.929 0.831
Interaction effect (V×S)
V1S1 35.64 4.23 0.673 4.80 10.67 57.23 4.42
V1S2 35.32 4.24 0.613 6.57 9.00 62.24 4.83
V1S3 48.55 4.54 0.853 7.45 12.33 65.67 5.81
V2S1 42.36 4.45 0.470 7.08 9.33 58.31 4.61
V2S2 43.00 4.19 0.503 5.69 11.00 59.89 6.53
V2S3 45.69 4.19 0.543 6.38 10.00 58.03 4.74
V3S1 40.04 4.40 0.580 6.71 11.00 64.26 5.03
V3S2 40.78 4.38 0.617 7.39 10.67 59.17 5.32
V3S3 41.77 4.34 0.503 6.48 13.33 61.87 4.47
SEm± 0.586 0.42 0.055 0.540 0.401 1.105 0.476
CD(P=05) 1.771 1.561 0.162 1.593 1.211 3.341 1.4

classified as sandy clay loam and slightly alkaline in
reaction. pH is ranging from about 7.5 to 8.5. The
treatments comprised of three varieties (Agrifound Light
Red, NHRDF-Red, NHRDF-2) and three planting spacing
(20×7.5cm, 20×10cm and 20×15 cm) thus forming nine
treatments combinations were laid out in a factorial
randomized block design of practices. Observations
recorded were growth characters; Plant height (cm),
Number of leaves /plants, Neck thickness (cm) and Bulb
characters; Bulb diameter (cm), Bulb weight (cm), No. of
scales, Bulb length (cm). Statistical analysis of data
obtained in different set of experiments was calculated
following the standard procedure as stated by Panse and
Sukhatme.
Results and Discussion
Effect on Growth characters : The growth parameter,
were recorded periodically like plant height, number of
leaves, neck thickness. Maximum plant height was
recorded at 60 Days after planting in variety V2
(NHRDF-Red). It has been found that plant spacing at 60
(Days after planting) in S3 (20 × 15 cm) was recorded
maximum height of plants. The combined effect of
varieties and plant spacing clearly revealed that there was
significant effect on plant height. Among the interaction
between varieties and spacing was recorded maximum
plant height in V1S3 at 60 days after planting. The similar
results were also reported by Mc-Geary (1985), Kumar et
al. (1998) and Jilani et al. (2010). The number of leaves/
plant was recorded at 60 days after planting. It has been
recorded that the maximum number of leaves / plant was
recorded in variety V3 (NHRDF-2) and plant spacing S3 (20
× 15cm) at 60 days after planting showed the maximum
number of leaves /plant. The combination effect of the
variety and plant spacing had significant effect on number
of leaves /plant at all stage of plant growth. Among the
interaction, the maximum number of leaves /plant has
been recorded at 60 days after planting in the V1S3
followed by V3S3.This result is in conformity with the
findings of Das, et al. (1972); Khan, et al. (2003); Jilani et
al.(2010); Mc-Geary (1985); Kumar, et al.(1998); Singh, et
al.(1999); Kumar, et al. (2001) and Bijaya Devi et
al.(2008). The data was recorded and presented in table
which indicated that significant effect of varieties and
spacing on neck thickness was found at various growth
stages. At 60 days after planting the variety V1 (Agrifound
Light Red) was recorded maximum neck thickness. It has
been observed that plant spacing at 60 days after planting
232 Frontiers in Crop Improvement 11 (Special Issue-I) July 2023
S3 (20 × 15 cm) was recorded maximum neck thickness
.The combined effect of variety and plant spacing showed
significant effect on neck thickness at all stages of plant
growth. The maximum neck thickness was observed at 60
days after planting for V1S3. The result is quite similar to
Mc-Geary (1985), Kumar, et al. (1998) and Jilani et al.
(2010).
Effect on bulb characters : Bulb diameter (cm) of onion
has been given in table. It is clear from the data that the
maximum bulb diameter was found in variety V2
(NHRDF-Red) with spacing S2 (20x10 cm) and recorded
maximum in the interaction as V1 S3. Maximum number of
scales in variety V3 (NHRDF-Red) with spacing in S3
(20x15 cm). The combined effect on maximum number of
scales was recorded in V3S3. This is due to wider spacing
of plant, which helps to utilize more water, nutrition, air and
light for better growth. These results are in close
conformity with earlier reports of Singh (1977), Kumar et
al. (1998); Kumar et al. (2001), Khan et al. (2003); and
Jilani et al. (2010). It is clear from the table that the highest
bulb weight was noted in variety V3 (NHRDF-2) while
lowest bulb weight was found in variety V2
(NHRDF-Red).The effect of plant spacing on bulb weight
was found significant and hence maximum bulb weight
was found at S3 (20 x 15 cm).The combined effect of plant
varieties and spacing on bulb weight was found significant
and hence maximum bulb weight was found at V1S3.This
result corroborated the findings of Singh (1977); Kumar et
al. (1998); Kumar et al. (2001); Khan et al. (2003) and
Jilani et al.(2010).The data revealed that maximum bulb
length was observed in variety V2 (NHRDF-Red) with
spacing S2 (20 x 10 cm). The combined effect on
maximum bulb length was recorded at V2S2. This is due to
wider spacing of plants which help to utilize more water,
nutrient, air and light for better growth. This result is in
conformity with earlier reports of Singh (1977); Kumar et
al. (1998); Kumar et al. (2001); Khan et al. (2003) and
Jilani et al. (2010).
Conclusions
On the basis of results it may be concluded that Maximum
plant height was recorded in variety V2 (NHRDF-Red) with
plant spacing S3 (20 × 15 cm) and maximum no. of leaves
recorded V3 (NHRDF-2) and spacing S3 (20 × 15 cm).
Maximum neck thickness recorded in variety V1
(Agrifound Light Red) and spacing S3 (20 × 15 cm). Bulb
diameter (cm) has been noted maximum in variety V2
(NHRDF-Red) and spacing S2 (20 × 10cm). Highest bulb
weight was noted in variety V3 (NHRDF-2) and plant
spacing S3 (20 x 15 cm). Highest number of scales noted
in variety V3 (NHRDF-2) and in plant spacing S3 (20 x
15cm). The length of bulb which was indicated maximum
in variety V2 (NHRDF-Red) and with spacing highest in S2
(20 x 10cm). Onion variety V3 (NHRDF-2) was
recommended for commercial exploitation in farmer fields
for higher crop production.
References
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