Plant density and bulb size trial was conducted at Ziway in order to identify the optimum agronomic management practices, which contribute to maximized seed production in onion crop both in terms of quantity and quality. The experiment was laid down in split plot design with three replications, keeping plant density as main plot factor and bulb size as sub plot factor. The effects were studied by collecting data on bulb sprouting and plant performance, yield components, seed yield and seed quality parameters. Analyses of variance, mean comparison using least significant difference, correlation analysis were made using SAS computer software. Plant density significantly influenced bulb sprouting, umbel size, seed yield per 100m2and germination percentage. The largest umbel size (4.9cm) was obtained from low plant density; where as the smallest (4.4cm) from high plant density. Maximum seed yield per 100m2(1,163,446 seeds) was collected from high density while low density yielded only 416,240 seeds per 100m2. However the quality of seed in terms of germination was highest for seeds obtained from low density. The influence of bulb size was significant on plant height, number of flower stalks per plant, number seeded florets per umbel, seed per plant, seed per 100m2, seed yield (qt/ha) thousand seed weight. Plants grown from large bulbs produced plants with best height (72.3cm), highest number of flower stalks (8.5), seeded florets per umbel (368.7), seed per plant (1,539), seeds per 100m2(994,434) and seed yield in qt/ha (10.42). Seeds with best thousand seed weight (4.2g) were obtained from medium bulbs and small bulbs performed least in all aspects. Correlation analysis was made to study the relationship among plant growth, yield component, seed yield and quality parameters and their respective influence on yield and yield quality. Positive correlation existed between plant height and umbel size with seeded florets per umbel; flower stalk per plant, plant height, umbel size, seeded florets per umbel and number of seeds per floret with seed yield per plant, which was highly correlated with seed yield (qt/ha). However, further studies ought to be conducted in order to understand clearly, why bulb size and plant density interaction effect was insignificant
Key words: Plant density, bulb size, bulb sprouting, plant performance, seed yield and seed quality
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1 INTRODUCTION
- 2 LITERATURE REVIEW
- 2.1 Onion Crop Production
- 2.1.1 Onion Cultivars
- 2.1.2 Climatic Requirement
- 2.1.3 Soil and Fertilization Requirement
- 2.1.4 Water Requirement
- 2.1.5 Planting Date
- 2.2 Onion Seed production
- 2.2.1 Bulb-to-Seed Method
- 2.2.2 Seed-to-Seed Method
- 2.3 The Effect of Bulb Size and Plant density
- 2.3.1 Effect of Bulb Size
- 2.3.2 The Effect of Plant Density
- 2.4 Onion Flowering
- 2.5 Pollination in Onion Flowers
- 2.6 Onion Seed Setting and Maturation
- 2.7 Harvesting, Threshing and Seed Cleaning
- 2.8 Onion Seed Quality
- 2.9 Biotic Limiting Stresses
- 3 MATERIALS AND METHODS
- 3.1 Research Site Description
- 3.2 Experimental Treatments and Design
- 3.3 Management practices
- 3.4 Data Collection
- 3.5 Data Analysis
- 4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
- 4.1 Effect of Bulb Size and plant density on Bulb Sprouting and Plant Growth
- 4.1.1 Bulb Sprouting and Plant Stand
- 4.1.2 Plant Height
- 4.1.3 Umbel Size
- 4.2 Effects of Bulb Size and Plant Density on Seed Yield Components
- 4.2.1 Number of Flower Stalk per Plant
- 4.2.2 Number of Seeded Florets per Umbel
- 4.2.3 Seeds per Floret
- 4.3 Effects of Bulb Size and Plant Density on Seed Yield
- 4.3.1 Number of Seeds per Plant
- 4.3.2 Number of Seeds per 100m²
- 4.3.3 Seed Yield (qt per ha)
- 4.4 The effect of Bulb Size and Plant Density on seed quality
- 4.4.1 Thousand Seed Weight
- 4.4.2 Germination percentage
- 4.5 Correlation Analysis
- 5 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
- 6 REFERENCES
- 7 APPENDIX
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of bulb size and plant density on onion seed production. The study aimed to determine the optimal combination of these factors to maximize seed yield and quality.
- Effect of bulb size on onion seed production
- Impact of plant density on onion seed yield and quality
- Relationship between bulb size, plant density, and seed yield components
- Analysis of optimal planting practices for maximizing onion seed production
- Assessment of seed quality parameters under different planting conditions
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1 INTRODUCTION: This chapter introduces the topic of onion seed production, highlighting its economic importance and the challenges associated with achieving high yields and quality. It sets the stage for the research by outlining the gaps in knowledge and the specific research questions that the study aims to address. The chapter emphasizes the significance of optimizing planting practices to enhance seed production efficiency.
2 LITERATURE REVIEW: This chapter presents a comprehensive review of existing literature on onion crop production and seed production methods. It explores various aspects of onion cultivation, including cultivar selection, climatic requirements, soil and fertilization needs, water management, planting dates, and seed production techniques (bulb-to-seed and seed-to-seed methods). The review delves into the effects of bulb size and plant density on yield and quality, examining the influence of these factors on plant growth, flowering, pollination, seed setting, maturation, harvesting, and seed cleaning. Existing research on biotic stresses impacting onion seed production is also summarized, providing a robust foundation for the current study.
3 MATERIALS AND METHODS: This chapter details the research methodology, including the description of the research site, experimental design, treatments used (different bulb sizes and plant densities), management practices employed during the experiment, data collection methods, and the statistical analysis techniques applied to analyze the collected data. The precision in describing the experimental setup is crucial for reproducibility and ensures transparency in the research process.
4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: This chapter presents the findings of the study. It meticulously examines the effects of bulb size and plant density on various aspects of onion seed production, including bulb sprouting, plant growth (height, umbel size), seed yield components (number of flower stalks, seeded florets, seeds per floret), seed yield (number of seeds per plant, per area, and yield per hectare), and seed quality parameters (thousand seed weight, germination percentage). The discussion section provides interpretations of the results, drawing connections between the observed effects and existing literature. The chapter thoroughly analyzes the interrelationships between different variables, offering insights into the optimal combinations of bulb size and plant density for maximizing both seed yield and quality.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Onion seed production, bulb size, plant density, seed yield, seed quality, planting practices, germination, thousand seed weight, plant growth, yield components, optimum planting density, biotic stresses.
Frequently Asked Questions: Onion Seed Production: Effects of Bulb Size and Plant Density
What is the main objective of this research?
The primary objective is to investigate how bulb size and plant density affect onion seed production, aiming to find the ideal combination for maximizing both yield and quality.
What key themes are explored in this study?
The study explores the effect of bulb size on onion seed production, the impact of plant density on yield and quality, the relationship between bulb size, plant density, and seed yield components, optimal planting practices for maximizing onion seed production, and the assessment of seed quality under different planting conditions.
What are the main chapters included in this research preview?
The preview includes an introduction, a literature review covering various aspects of onion cultivation and seed production, a detailed explanation of materials and methods, a presentation of results and discussion, a summary and conclusions, references, and an appendix.
What topics are covered in the Literature Review chapter?
The literature review comprehensively examines onion crop production, including cultivar selection, climate, soil, fertilization, water management, planting dates, and seed production methods (bulb-to-seed and seed-to-seed). It also analyzes the effects of bulb size and plant density on various stages of onion seed production, from plant growth and flowering to seed maturation, harvesting, and quality. Biotic stresses affecting seed production are also discussed.
How are the Materials and Methods described?
This chapter provides a detailed account of the research methodology. It describes the research site, experimental design (including treatments—different bulb sizes and plant densities), management practices, data collection techniques, and statistical analysis methods. This level of detail ensures reproducibility and transparency.
What results are presented and discussed?
The results section presents findings on the effects of bulb size and plant density on bulb sprouting, plant growth (height and umbel size), seed yield components (number of flower stalks, seeded florets, seeds per floret), seed yield (per plant, per area, and per hectare), and seed quality (thousand seed weight and germination percentage). The discussion interprets these findings, connecting them to the existing literature and analyzing interrelationships between variables to identify optimal planting practices.
What are the key findings summarized in the conclusion?
The summary and conclusions chapter synthesizes the key findings of the study, highlighting the optimal combinations of bulb size and plant density for maximizing both seed yield and quality. It provides a concise overview of the research and its implications for onion seed production practices.
What keywords are associated with this research?
Keywords include: Onion seed production, bulb size, plant density, seed yield, seed quality, planting practices, germination, thousand seed weight, plant growth, yield components, optimum planting density, and biotic stresses.
What is the overall structure of the Table of Contents?
The table of contents is organized logically, progressing from an introduction and literature review to the methodology, results, discussion, summary, conclusions, references and an appendix. Each section is further broken down into subsections to provide a clear outline of the research.
- Citar trabajo
- Zerihun Zena (Autor), 2008, The Effect of Bulb Size and Plant Density on Yield and Quality of Onion (Allium cepa var cepa L) Seed, at Ziway, Central Ethiopia, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/208620
