Effect of Zn and Fe on growth, yield and quality parameters of Onion (Allium cepa L.) cv. N-53

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted at the Agricultural Research Farm, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jaipur during Rabi season, 2024-25. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with eight treatments replicated thrice. The treatments were control (T1), RDF (N-100:P2O5-50:K2O-50kg/ha) (T2), RDF + Foliar Spray Chelated Fe@1% (T3), RDF + Foliar Spray Chelated Zn@1% (T4), RDF + Foliar Spray Chelated Fe+Zn@1% each (T5), RDF + Soil application FeSO4@20kg/ha (T6), RDF + Soil application ZnSO4@20kg/ha (T7) and RDF + Soil application FeSO4+ZnSO4@20kg/ha (T8). The observed data was analyzed in OPSTAT. The results revealed significant differences among the treatments. The results showed that maximum growth parameters viz. maximum plant height (52.67 cm), number of leaves per plant (11.3), dry matter content (15.74%), leaf length (52.26 cm) and leaf width (2.07 cm) were observed in the treatment consisting RDF + Foliar Spray Chelated Fe+Zn @1% each (T₅) whereas the minimum were observed in control (T1). Superior yield parameters viz. maximum bulb diameter (7.22cm), bulb weight (100.47 g), yield per plot (19.593 kg) and total yield per hectare (53.31 t/ha) were observed in the treatment consisting RDF + Foliar Spray Chelated Fe+Zn @1% each whereas the minimum were recorded in control (T1). The maximum total soluble solids (12.420 Brix) and chlorophyll content (1.221 mg/g) were recorded in treatment RDF + Foliar Spray Chelated Fe+Zn @1% each, while minimum was observed in control. The maximum net profit per rupee investment and B:C ratio was turned out to be 3.31 with RDF + Foliar Spray Chelated Fe+Zn @1% each while minimum was observed in control. Although these results are only indicative and require further experimentation to arrive at more consistent and credible conclusion, the treatment T₅ (RDF + Foliar Spray Chelated Fe+Zn@1% each) may be recommended for obtaining higher yield and superior quality of onion.