Vegetable Science

Effect of integrated use of organic manures and chemical fertilizers on yield and nutrient uptake by onion (Allium cepa) and nutrient build up in the soil was studied under field conditions. Highest yield of onion (353.48 and 331.83 quintals ha⁻¹ during 2008–2009 and 2009–2010, respectively) was recorded in the treatment comprising 100% recommended amounts of NPK plus 15 tonnes vermicompost ha⁻¹. After completion of the experiment in 2010, the highest available NPK content (222, 18 and 235 kg.ha⁻¹, respectively) was also recorded in case of the treatment consisting of 15 ton vermicompost ha⁻¹ to onion crop along with 100% amounts of recommended NPK to the crop. According to the observations recorded on integration of plant nutrients and its effect on the nutrient uptake by plants maximum nutrient uptake by onion plants was also recorded in the above treatment (60.09, 16.97 and 59.38 kgha⁻¹, respectively during 2008–09 and 54.75, 14.60 and 52.43 kgha⁻¹, respectively during 2009–10).