Nutrient Management for Improving Onion Productivity

3 Abstract: In present study two onion varieties (Mansehra local and Swat-1) were evaluated against six treatments (T0=control, T1=NPK @120+60+60 Kg/ha, T2= 20 tons FYM+5 tons Poultry manure/ha, T3=40 tons FYM+5 tons Poultry manure/ha, T4= 60 tons FYM+5 tons Poultry manure/ha and T5=80 tons FYM+5 tons Poultry manure/ha) to select suitable concentration/combination of fertilizer to improve onion productivity. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with split plot arrangement using three replications. Onion varieties were assigned to main plot whereas fertilizer treatments to sub plots. The data were recorded for different traits. Onion variety Mansehra local performed well as compared to Swat-1 in terms of many crop parameters under the agro-climatic conditions of the area. Mansehra local showed higher survival percentage (99.66%), better plant height (60.06 cm), higher number of leaves per plant (12.69 leaves/plant), higher water contents (85.04 %), higher bulb diameter (7.101), higher bulb weight (153.27 g) and higher bulb yield (41.01957 t/ha) than Swat 1. As far as fertilizer treatments are concerned T4 (60 tons FYM+5 tons Poultry manure/ha) was proved to be best fertilizer treatment for most of the agronomic traits. Keeping in view the results, variety Mansehra local and fertilizer treatment T4 were recommended for farming in Mansehra and other areas with similar climatic conditions to increase onion production. This will not only help to improve the economic return and revenue generation of the farmers but also lower the growing onion market prices in the country.