Influence of different levels of planting time and spacing on growth and yield of multiplier onion (Allium cepa L. var. aggregatum Don.) Cv. Meitei Tilhou under Manipur condition

Abstract

Study on the “Effect of Planting Time and Spacing on Growth and Yield of Multiplier Onion (Allium cepa L. var. aggregatum Don.) cv. Meitei Tilhou under Manipur Condition” in the rabi season of 2019-20 in the research field of Department of Horticulture, COA, CAU, Imphal from November 2019 to April 2020. The layout of the experimental field was carried out in Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD) constituting three levels of spacing (S1: 10 cm × 10cm, S2: 10 cm × 15cm, S3: 15 cm × 20) and four levels of planting time (P1: 10th November, P2: 25th November, P3: 10th December, P4: 25th December). From the current study, it was observed at wider spacing 15cm×20cm (S3), growth parameters like number of leaves (49.52), number of bulblets per clump (14.38), and neck girth (6.36 mm) were maximum, yield contributing characters fresh weight of compound bulb (41.7 g), polar diameter (22.92 mm) and equatorial diameter (16.59 mm) and maximum average bulb weight (2.54 g) were also higher. However, maximum plant height (45.47 cm) and yield per hectare (21.34 t/ha) was obtained at closer spacing 10cm×10cm (S1), Early planting date of 10th November (P1) resulted in superior growth, maximum bulb yield and yield contributing characters, and it was closely followed by 25th November (P2). Interaction of planting time and spacing significantly influenced plant height, number of leaves, fresh weight of compound bulb, and yield.