Drip fertigation scheduling for enhancing productivity of onion seed in western Maharashtra

An experiment was conducted at Mahatma Phule Agricultural University on clay loam soil during Rabi 2009–2011 to study the feasibility of fertigation scheduling through drip on growth and yield of onion seed (Allium Cepa L). The study revealed that 100 per cent water soluble fertilizers in 12 equal splits up to 2 months was found significantly superior in respect of growth and quality parameters of onion seed. The fertigation applied in 12 splits up to 2 months produced significantly higher seed yield (602 kg/ha). The lowest value of growth and seed yield was recorded when irrigation applied by surface method with conventional fertilizer (347 kg/ha). The study showed that drip fertigation resulted into 12 to 74% increase in the productivity of onion seed as compared to conventional method. The total irrigation water applied through surface and drip system was 840 mm and 520.45 mm indicating 39% water saving whereas, field water use efficiency of drip fertigation (1.16 kg/ha-mm) was more by 2.5 times as that of control (0.41 kg/ha-mm). It can be concluded that drip fertigation of 100% water soluble fertilizers in 12 weekly splits up to 2 months duration was found effective for growth, yield and quality for onion seed production.