Impact of frontline demonstration on small onion (Allium cepa var. aggregatum) in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Small onion (Allium cepa var. aggregatum) is one of the important vegetable crop cultivated over 800 ha area in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. Attempts were made to reduce the yield gap of onion by adopting integrated crop management practices through frontline demonstrations during 2019-2020 to 2021-2022 in 30 farmers’ field. The integrated crop management practices comprised of high yielding CO (On) 5 onion variety, seed treatment with Trichoderma viride, integrated nutrient management practices, integrated plant protection measures were demonstrated. The results showed that average higher bulb yield of 138.4 q/ha recorded in demonstration plots compared to 113.4 q/ha in farmers practice (FP) with a yield advantage of 22% over the farmer practices. The average extension gap, technology gap and technology index were 24.9 q/ha, 41.6 q/ha, and 23.1% respectively. About 72.3% farmers were satisfied with the improved crop production technologies. Considering the above facts, Frontline demonstrations were carried out in a systematic and scientific manner on farmer’s field to show the worth of improved production management technologies in onion for further adoption.