Effect of nitrogen and phosphorus on growth and bulb yield of kharif onion (Allium cepa L.) crop raised through sets in the lower hills of Himachal Pradesh

The study was undertaken at Jachh (HP) to find out the optimum dose of nitrogen and phosphorus for higher production of kharif onion crop raised through sets. Plant height increased linearly with the increasing levels of nitrogen (100, 125 and150kg/ha) whereas, the number of leaves were maximum with 125 kg N/ha. Phosphorus also significantly increased plant height and number of leaves registering the respective maximum values of 60.23cm and 11.33 leaves at 80 kg/ha level. A pronounced response of nitrogen application at 125 kg/ha was evident in respect of important yield attributing parameters, i.e. bulb diameter (polar), bulb weight and yield per hectare. The application of 100 kg P₂O₅/ha produced highest bulb yield which was at par with 80 kg dose but markedly superior to 60 kg P₂O₅/ha. The data on interaction effect of nitrogen and phosphorus revealed that the highest bulb yield of 185.20q/ha was obtainable when N and P₂O₅ were combined @ 125 and 100 kg/ha, respectively