J. Env. Bio-Sci., 2014: Vol.

28 (2): 223-226 ISSN 0973-6913 (Print), ISSN 0976-3384 (On Line)

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF NITROGEN AND PLANT SPACING ON GROWTH

AND YIELD OF ONION (ALLIUM CEPA L.) UNDER LATERITIC BELT OF BIRBHUM
DISTRICT IN WEST BENGAL
Amit Kumar1, B. V. G. Prasad1, S.Chakravorty2 and A. Pariari2
Department of Crop Improvement, Horticulture and Agriculture Botany (CIHAB),
Institute of Agriculture,Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan-731236, West Bengal, India1.
Department of Spice and Plantation Crops, Faculty of Horticulture,
Bidhan Chandra KrishiVisvavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal, India2
email: prasadbvg@hotmail.com

Received: 19-09-2014 Accepted: 01-10-2014

The present investigation was undertaken at Horticulture farm, Institute of Agriculture, Visva-Bharati University, West Bengal
(India) during winter (rabi) season from September 2012 to March 2013 to study the effect of nitrogen and spacing on growth and
yield of onion. The experiment consisted of nine treatment combinations with three levels of nitrogen (100, 150 and 200 kg/ha) and
three levels of spacing (10 cm x 10 cm, 15 cm x 10 cm, 15 cm x 15 cm). The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block
design in factorial arrangement with three replications. Results of the experiment reviled that application of 200 kg N ha-1 and
15cm x 15 cm produced the highest results for plant height, number of leaves, Bulb polar and equatorial diameter. Among
combinations of different levels of nitrogen and spacing, application of 150 kg N ha-1 along with spacing of 15cm x 10cm was
found to be the best combination in enhancing the onion yield (37 t/ha) with maximum(2.84) benefit: cost ratio.

Onion (Allium cepa L.) a member of Alliaceaefamily is one of MATERIALS AND METHODS
the most important vegetable crops in India having both dietic
Field experiment was conducted at Horticulture farm, Institute
and medicinal values. It is also an important foreign exchange
of Agriculture, Visva-Bharati in 2012-13. The experiment
earner. Increased demand in the domestic market for last few
consisted of factorial combination of three nitrogen levels (100,
years has encouraged the farmers to grow this crop in
150 and 200 kg N ha-1) and four intra-row spacing (10cm x
nonconventional areas. With the introduction of kharif onion
10cm, 15cm x 10cm and 15 x 15cm) and laid out in a factorial
the possibility of earning profit has been enhanced. Apart from
randomized complete block design (FRCBD) with three
environmental factors and varietal potentiality, agronomical
replications. The experimental plot was thoroughly prepared
practices like optimum plant population and nutrient application
by ploughing and harrowing. Onion variety Agrifound Dark Red
was reported to have profound effect on the yield of this crop 1-
2
was raised in the nursery by the end of September using the
. Nitrogen application was also reported to influence onion
recommended management practices and the seedlings were
bulb development, flavour and bulb quality3. The soil of red
transplanted at about eight weeks after sowing. Nitrogen was
lateritic belt of West Bengal, usually deficient in major nutrient
applied in the form of urea in two splits and levels were
elements especially nitrogen due to its inherent acidic nature.
maintained as per schedule. Standard cultural practices and
On the other hand, maintenance of optimum plant population
plant protection measures as per requirement of the crop were
is another important aspect for establishment of healthy crops.
adopted uniformly during the period of field trial. Data was
Onion crop grown with wider spacing resulted increase in dry
recorded on plant height, number of leaves per plant, crop
matter, bulb diameter and weight which are adversely affected
growth rate, bulb diameter, individual bulb diameter, individual
at high population density4. Keeping in view the increase in
bulb weight and total bulb yield. The data collected was
number of growers but meager information regarding above
subjected to Analysis of Variance technique (ANOVA). The
mentioned aspect under present soil and agro-climatic
test of significance (f test) and critical difference (CD) was
condition the present study was undertaken to determine the
read at 0.05% probability 5.
optimum spacing and level of nitrogen suitable for the locality.
 (224)

Fig. 1. Relationship between bulb polar diameters versus Fig. 2. Relationship between bulb equatorial diameters
bulb weight versus bulb weight

Table-1. Effect of Nitrogen on Growth and Yield of Onion

Table-2. Effect of Nitrogen on Growth and Yield of Onion

(225) Kumar, Prasad, Chakravorty and Pariari
Table-3.Interaction Effect of Nitrogen and Spacing on Growth and Yield of Onion
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Significant influence of nitrogen and spacing on growth
characters was clearly indicated in (Table-1&2) where the
maximum plant height (64.76 cm) and number of leaves (7.80)
was recorded with application of the highest level of nitrogen
(200 kg N ha-1) in comparison with its corresponding lower
levels. On the other hand, widest spacing (15 x 15 cm)
produced the maximum values (65.22 cm and 7.86,
respectively) in this regard compared to closer spacing.
Interaction between nitrogen and spacing had significant
influence (Table -2) on plant height unlike number of leaves.
Combination of maximum levels of nitrogen (200 kg N ha-1)
and spacing (15x15cm) resulted (Table-3) the maximum plant
height (68.07cm) and number of leaf (8.06), though it was only
numerical increase over other combinations in case of number
of leaves. Higher results might be due to positive role of nitrogen
on growth and development of the plants and less competition
between plants for nutrient, water and light in case of wider
spacing. The result corroborated the findings of 6-7.Different
yield contributing characters were found to be positively
influenced by different levels of nitrogen, spacing and their
combinations (Table -1,2 & 3). Application of the highest level
of nitrogen (200 kg N ha-1) resulted in maximum increase in
polar, equatorial diameter and bulb weight (42.34 mm 56.68
mm and 77.01g, respectively) of the bulbs. On the other hand,
maximum spacing of 15 x 15 cm produced the highest values
of polar and equatorial diameter of the bulb and bulb weight
(41.97 mm, 57.78 mm and 93.87 g, respectively) which were
significantly higher over the corresponding lower levels of
spacing. Interaction between maximum levels of nitrogen and
spacing (200 kg N ha-1and 15 x15 cm, respectively) also
produced the highest polar and equatorial diameter of the bulb
and bulb weight (44.27 mm, 60.33 mm and 98.21 g
respectively). Production of bulbs having higher polar, equatorial
diameter and weight might be attributed to the better vegetative
growth with the application of higher nutrient level 8-9and wider
spacing10-11with reduced competition between plants.
Total soluble solid (TSS), bulb yield and Benefit-Cost ratio (B: C)
of onion were significantly influenced by the different levels of
nitrogen and spacing and their interaction (Table-1, 2&3).
Increase in N dose up to 150 kg ha-1 resulted in the increased
TSS, yield and B: C of onion bulbs (9.96, 31.96 t ha-1 and
2.32). Similar increased trend was observed (9.64, 31.90 t ha-1
and 2.31) with wider spacing up to 15cmx10cm. But further
increase in the levels of both the factors to their maximum
level (i.e. 200 kg N ha-1 and 15cmx15cm) decreased the TSS,
yield and B: C. A matching trend was also noticed in interaction
effect. The maximum TSS (11.00), yield (37.00 t ha-1) and B: C
(2.84) recorded where 150 kg N ha-1 and 15 x 10 cm spacing
were combined (Table -2). The results were in conformity with
findings of 12-13 who observed the similar trend.
Positive linear relationship of polar diameter (r = 0.392) and
 (226)

equatorial diameter (r = 0.758) of bulb with bulb weight (Fig. 1 5. Panse, A.K., P.V. Sukhatme(1978). Stastical methods for
and Fig. 2) was observed and especially equatorial diameter agriculture works. ICAR.New Delhi., 97.
of the bulb shows high significant relationship with bulb weight. 6. Yadav,D. and Prasad, V. M. (2009). Plant Archives., 9:1,
It indicates that increase in the dimension in the equatorial 37.
region and the weight of the bulb was due to the effective 7. Naik, B. H and Hosamani, R. M. (2003). J. of Agri. Sci.,16:
channelization of photosynthates in scales. 98.
From the above findings, it can be concluded that application 8. Soleymani, A. and Shahrajabian, M. H. (2012). Inter. J.of
of nutrient with optimum spacing may be beneficial for growing Agri. and Crop Sci., 4:4.pp179.
onion in the lateritic soil of Birbhum district. The maximum
9. Khan, H.M., Igbal, A., Ghaffor and waseem, K. (2002). J.Biol.
bulb yield can be obtained with the application of 150 kg N ha-1 in
Sci., 2: 545.
plants spaced at 15 cm x 10 cm.
10. Singh, A., Bose, U.S., Tripathi, S.K. and Rajoriya, U.K.
(2001). Crop Res. Hisar., 22: 232.
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