Influence of Microirrigation and Fertilizer Levels through Fertigation on Growth, Yield and Quality of Onion Seed

A field experiment on cultivation of onion seed was carried out during rabi season on sandy clay loam soil with medium depth had good drainage and was alkaline in nature, low in available N and P and high in available K. There was saving of 39.9 per cent irrigation water through drip system compared to surface irrigation. The WUE and FUE were maximum under fertigation treatments. The seed yield and yield contributing characters increased with fertigation levels and were maximum in 125 per cent recommended dose of water soluble fertilizer with fertigation being on par with 100 per cent recommended dose of water soluble fertilizer. The seed quality also improved in fertigation as compared to surface irrigation with band placement of fertilizers. The treatment 75 per cent recommended dose of water soluble fertilizer was significantly superior to application of 100 per cent recommended dose of fertilizer through conventional fertilizer and as such, there could be a saving of 25 per cent of the added fertilizers. The benefit cost ratio was maximum in treatment 100 per cent recommended dose of water soluble fertilizer closely followed by 125 and 75 per cent recommended dose of water soluble fertilizer through fertgation. The application of 100 per cent fertilizers through water soluble fertilizer through fertigation was the best system for growth, yield, quality and economically viable for onion seed production with saving of water and fertilizer.