Study of Evaluation of Four Varieties of Onion (Allium cepa L) in the Environment of UST, Bannu.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION
Onion (Allium cepa L.) is most important cool season
plant, it hold top position in area of cultivation and
production amongst the bulb crops produced in the
world (FAO 2002). Allium cepa is known only in
cultivation, Grubben & Denton (2004).
Onion is the chief food plant in which food is stored
in a bulb. It is very old, its use going back over 4000
year beyond the beginning of authentic history. It is
unknown in wild state the onion is probably a native
of Southern Asia or Mediterranean region. It has
long been valued in China and India for its flavoring.
Onions are cultivated over large areas in temperate
region and even in tropical climates. They prefer
cool moist regions with a sandy soil. They are grown
from seeds or small bulblets. Onion should be dried
prior to storage to develop the characteristic flavor
and test, which are due to an acrid volatile oil, the
allyl sulphide. They are both food plants and flavoring
agents. Over 250 species of Allium are known. Many
occur as weeds. The commonest forms in cultivation
are Garlic, leeks, chives, shallots, and the true onion,
Hill (1951).
Onion is a shallow rooted crop a fairly high
concentration of nutrient should normally be
Study of Evaluation of Four Varieties of Onion (Allium cepa L) in the Environment
of UST, Bannu.
Abdul Malik1, Rehman Ullah Khan1*, Saad Ullah Khan1, Syed Aneel Gilani2, Hidayat Ullah Khan1, Zeeshan
Ahmad 1
1Department of Botany, University of Science and Technology, Bannu.
2 Pakistan Museum of Natural History, Islamabad, Pakistan
ABSTRACT
A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of different varieties, viz; Bannu Local,
India, Swat and Quata of Onion at Awais Ahmad Ghani Green House, Department of Botany, University
of Science and Technology Bannu, K.P.K Pakistan. The trial was conducted in RCBD (Randomized
Complete Block Design) and replicated 3 times to minimize the error. Significant differences were
recorded among varieties for the parameters like New Leaf Initiation, Leaf Length plant-1, Leaves
bulb-1. While non-significant results were recorded in case of Fresh Biomass plant-1, Dry Biomass
plant-1, Economic weight bulb-1, Bulb Diameter, Yield Kg hac-1. So for as the performance of Quata
variety is concerned it taken the highest number of days (24) for new leaf initiation after transplantation
and longest leaf length (25.50cm) was observed in this variety. Maximum Fresh Biomass (259.6 g
plant-1), Dry Biomass (218.6 g plant-1), Economic Weight (210.1 g plant-1), Bulb Diameter (7.2cm)
and Yield (17149.850 kg h-1) was found in case of Swat variety in the prevailing environment. As for
as the potential and efficiency of the Bannu Local variety is concerned, it produced the higher number
of leaves bulb-1 (26.7), while minimum value in all the parameters regarding yield components was
observed for India variety. In the light of this effort, Swat variety was recorded the best and most
suitable for the environment like Bannu.