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Effect of Seed Priming with Potassium Nitrate on Bulb Yield and Seed Quality of Onion (Allium Cepa L.), under Rift Valley Conditions, Central Ethiopia

Year 2015, Volume: 1 Issue: 2, 1 - 12, 09.09.2015

Abstract

Laboratory and field experiments were conducted to study the effects of seed priming using different concentrations of potassium nitrate on bulb yield and seed quality of onion (Allium cepa L var cepa.). In laboratory experiment, factorial combination of four concentrations of KNO3 salt [(0% (distilled water), 1%, 2% and 3%)] and four priming durations (12 hrs, 24 hrs, 48 hrs and 72 hrs), with one control treatment of un-primed seeds were laid out in RCBD with four replications. Field experiment consisted of the same combinations as set in the laboratory experiment and the experiment was laid out as a RCBD in a factorial arrangement with three replications. Data were collected on marketable bulb yield, unmarketable bulb yield, total bulb yield, standard germination, rate of germination, vigour index-I, vigour index –II, and seedling dry weight. Analysis of the data revealed that Effect of concentration was significant at (p<0.05) for seed germination, seedling vigour and, onion bulb yield. Similarly, interaction of Concentration of the salt and priming duration were significant at (p<0.05) for standard germination, rate of germination, vigour index II, seedling dry weight, and bulb yield. These parameters were significantly increased in response to the priming duration of 12 hrs for standard germination, rate of germination, and vigour index. However, the lowest results on these parameters were recorded for the duration of 72 hrs for priming with the potassium nitrate salt. The treatment combination involving priming seeds with 3% KNO3 for 72 hrs produced the lowest standard germination, rate of germination, and vigour index. For the field experiment, the highest marketable bulb yield (40.78 tons/ha) and total bulb yield (47.78 tons/ha) were obtained in response to priming the seed with 1% KNO3 for 12 hrs compared to the yields obtained in the control treatment which was 35.11 tons/ha. In conclusion, priming onion seeds with 1% KNO3 solution for a period of 12 hrs as well as priming the seeds with distilled water for 72 hrs significantly enhanced onion seedling performance and the yield of marketable bulbs.

References

  • Zeleke, A. 2008. Effects of seed priming, planting method and fertilizers on yield and yield components of fresh Hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) in Northwest Ethiopia. (unpublished M.Sc. thesis ) Haramaya University.
  • Bennett, M.A., Fritz, A.V. and Callan N.W. 1992. Impact of seed treatments on crop stand establishment. Journal of Seed Technology, 2: 345-356
  • Bosland, P.W. and Votara, E.J. 2000. Peppers: Vegetable and spice Capsicums. CABI publishing. New York. 198p.
  • Byrum, J. R. and Copeland, L.O. 1995. Variability in vigour testing of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor. L. Moench) seeds. Journal of Seed Science and Technology, 23: 543-549.
  • CACC (Central Agricultural Census Commission), 2003. Agricultural Sample numeration, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 374p.
  • Elkoca, E., Haliloğlu K., Eşitken, A. and Ercişli, S. 2007. Hydro and osmopriming improve chickpea germination. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica Section B Soil and Plant Science, 57: 193-200.
  • Haigh, A.M. and Barlow, E.W.R. 1987. Germination and priming of tomato, carrot, onion, and sorghum seeds in a range of osmotica. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science 112: 202-208.
  • Harris, D. 1996. The effects of manure, genotype, seed priming, depth and date of sowing on the emergence and early growth of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench in semi-arid Botswana. Soil and Tillage Research, 40: 73-88.
  • Harris, D., Joshi, A., Khan, P.A., Gothkar, P. and Sodhi, P.S. 1999. On-farm seed priming in semi-arid agriculture: development and evaluation in maize, rice and chickpea in India using participatory methods. Experimental Agriculture, 35(01), 15-29.
  • Harris, D., Pathan, A.K., Gothkar P., Joshi, A., Chivasa, W. and Nyamudeza, P. 2001a. On-farm seed priming: using participatory methods to revive and refine a key technology. Agricultural Systems 69: 151-164.
  • Harris, D., Raghuwanshi, B.S., Gangwar, J.S., Singh, S.C., Joshi, K.D., Rashid, A. and Hollington, P.A. 2001b.
  • Participatory evaluation by farmers of ‘on-farm’ seed priming in wheat in India, Nepal and Pakistan. Experimental Agriculture, 37: 403-415.
  • Harris, D., Tripathi, R.S. and Joshi, A. 2000. Onfarm priming to improve crop establishment and yield in direct seeded rice in IRRI: International Workshop on Dry Seeded Rice Technology, held in Bangkok, 25-28 January 2000. The International Rice Research Institute. Manila. The Philippines., and pp.164.
  • Heydecker, W. and Coolbear, P. 1977. Seed treatments for improved performance: Survey and attempted prognosis. Journal of Seed Science and Technology, 5: 353- 425.
  • Heydecker, W. and Gibbins, B.M. 1978. Priming of seeds. Acta Hort, 83: 213- 223.
  • ISTA (International Seed Testing Association), 1985. International rules for seed testing. Seed Science and Technology, 13: 1299–355.
  • Dessalegn, L. and Aklilu, Sh. 2003. Research Experience in Onion Production. Research Report Number, 55, EARO, Addis Ababa Ethiopia.
  • Mekonnen, H. 2005. Effects of Hydro Priming Sorghum [Sorghum Bicolor (L.) Moench] Seeds on Germination, Seedling Emergence and Stand Establishment (unpublished thesis).p.27.
  • Hussain, M., Farooq, M., Basra, S. M. and Ahmad, N. 2006. Influence of seed priming techniques on the seedling establishment, yield and quality of hybrid sunflower. International Journal of Agriculture and Bilogy,8(1),14-18.
  • Arif, M., Jan, M.T., Marwat, K.B. and Khan, M.A. 2008. Seed priming improves emergence and yield of soybean. Pakistan Journal of Botany, 40:1169-1177.
  • Nirmala, K. and Umarani, R. 2007. Evaluation of seed priming methods to improve seed vigour of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) and beetroot (Beta vulgaris). Seed Science & Technology.36-1 (In Press).
  • Selvarani, K. and Umarani, R. 2011. Evaluation of seed priming methods to improve seed vigour of onion (Allium cepa cv. aggregatum) and carrot (Daucus carota). Journal of Agricultural Technology 7: 857-867.
  • Simon, P.W. 1992. Onion improvement News letter for 1991. Dept of horticulture, university of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
  • Taylor, A.G. and Harman, G.E. 1990. Concepts and technologies of selected seed treatments. Annual Review of Phytopathology, 28(1), 321-339.
  • Taylor, A.G., Klein, D.E. and Whitlow, T.H. 1988. Hydro- priming of seeds. Horticulture Science, 37: 1-11.
  • Taylor, A.G., Klein, D.E. and Whitlow, T.H. 1988. SMP: solid matrix priming of seeds. Scientia Horticulture 37: 1-12.
  • Venketasubramanium, A. and Umarani, R. 2007. Evaluation of seed priming methodsto improve seed performance of tomato (Lycoperison esculentum), egg plant (Solanum melongena) and chilli (Capsicum annum). Seed Science & Technology .35-2 (In Press.)
Year 2015, Volume: 1 Issue: 2, 1 - 12, 09.09.2015

Abstract

References

  • Zeleke, A. 2008. Effects of seed priming, planting method and fertilizers on yield and yield components of fresh Hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) in Northwest Ethiopia. (unpublished M.Sc. thesis ) Haramaya University.
  • Bennett, M.A., Fritz, A.V. and Callan N.W. 1992. Impact of seed treatments on crop stand establishment. Journal of Seed Technology, 2: 345-356
  • Bosland, P.W. and Votara, E.J. 2000. Peppers: Vegetable and spice Capsicums. CABI publishing. New York. 198p.
  • Byrum, J. R. and Copeland, L.O. 1995. Variability in vigour testing of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor. L. Moench) seeds. Journal of Seed Science and Technology, 23: 543-549.
  • CACC (Central Agricultural Census Commission), 2003. Agricultural Sample numeration, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 374p.
  • Elkoca, E., Haliloğlu K., Eşitken, A. and Ercişli, S. 2007. Hydro and osmopriming improve chickpea germination. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica Section B Soil and Plant Science, 57: 193-200.
  • Haigh, A.M. and Barlow, E.W.R. 1987. Germination and priming of tomato, carrot, onion, and sorghum seeds in a range of osmotica. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science 112: 202-208.
  • Harris, D. 1996. The effects of manure, genotype, seed priming, depth and date of sowing on the emergence and early growth of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench in semi-arid Botswana. Soil and Tillage Research, 40: 73-88.
  • Harris, D., Joshi, A., Khan, P.A., Gothkar, P. and Sodhi, P.S. 1999. On-farm seed priming in semi-arid agriculture: development and evaluation in maize, rice and chickpea in India using participatory methods. Experimental Agriculture, 35(01), 15-29.
  • Harris, D., Pathan, A.K., Gothkar P., Joshi, A., Chivasa, W. and Nyamudeza, P. 2001a. On-farm seed priming: using participatory methods to revive and refine a key technology. Agricultural Systems 69: 151-164.
  • Harris, D., Raghuwanshi, B.S., Gangwar, J.S., Singh, S.C., Joshi, K.D., Rashid, A. and Hollington, P.A. 2001b.
  • Participatory evaluation by farmers of ‘on-farm’ seed priming in wheat in India, Nepal and Pakistan. Experimental Agriculture, 37: 403-415.
  • Harris, D., Tripathi, R.S. and Joshi, A. 2000. Onfarm priming to improve crop establishment and yield in direct seeded rice in IRRI: International Workshop on Dry Seeded Rice Technology, held in Bangkok, 25-28 January 2000. The International Rice Research Institute. Manila. The Philippines., and pp.164.
  • Heydecker, W. and Coolbear, P. 1977. Seed treatments for improved performance: Survey and attempted prognosis. Journal of Seed Science and Technology, 5: 353- 425.
  • Heydecker, W. and Gibbins, B.M. 1978. Priming of seeds. Acta Hort, 83: 213- 223.
  • ISTA (International Seed Testing Association), 1985. International rules for seed testing. Seed Science and Technology, 13: 1299–355.
  • Dessalegn, L. and Aklilu, Sh. 2003. Research Experience in Onion Production. Research Report Number, 55, EARO, Addis Ababa Ethiopia.
  • Mekonnen, H. 2005. Effects of Hydro Priming Sorghum [Sorghum Bicolor (L.) Moench] Seeds on Germination, Seedling Emergence and Stand Establishment (unpublished thesis).p.27.
  • Hussain, M., Farooq, M., Basra, S. M. and Ahmad, N. 2006. Influence of seed priming techniques on the seedling establishment, yield and quality of hybrid sunflower. International Journal of Agriculture and Bilogy,8(1),14-18.
  • Arif, M., Jan, M.T., Marwat, K.B. and Khan, M.A. 2008. Seed priming improves emergence and yield of soybean. Pakistan Journal of Botany, 40:1169-1177.
  • Nirmala, K. and Umarani, R. 2007. Evaluation of seed priming methods to improve seed vigour of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) and beetroot (Beta vulgaris). Seed Science & Technology.36-1 (In Press).
  • Selvarani, K. and Umarani, R. 2011. Evaluation of seed priming methods to improve seed vigour of onion (Allium cepa cv. aggregatum) and carrot (Daucus carota). Journal of Agricultural Technology 7: 857-867.
  • Simon, P.W. 1992. Onion improvement News letter for 1991. Dept of horticulture, university of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
  • Taylor, A.G. and Harman, G.E. 1990. Concepts and technologies of selected seed treatments. Annual Review of Phytopathology, 28(1), 321-339.
  • Taylor, A.G., Klein, D.E. and Whitlow, T.H. 1988. Hydro- priming of seeds. Horticulture Science, 37: 1-11.
  • Taylor, A.G., Klein, D.E. and Whitlow, T.H. 1988. SMP: solid matrix priming of seeds. Scientia Horticulture 37: 1-12.
  • Venketasubramanium, A. and Umarani, R. 2007. Evaluation of seed priming methodsto improve seed performance of tomato (Lycoperison esculentum), egg plant (Solanum melongena) and chilli (Capsicum annum). Seed Science & Technology .35-2 (In Press.)
There are 27 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Journal Section Makaleler
Authors

Jima Duga

Nigussie Dechassa This is me

Lemma Dessalegne This is me

Publication Date September 9, 2015
Published in Issue Year 2015 Volume: 1 Issue: 2

Cite

APA Duga, J., Dechassa, N., & Dessalegne, L. (2015). Effect of Seed Priming with Potassium Nitrate on Bulb Yield and Seed Quality of Onion (Allium Cepa L.), under Rift Valley Conditions, Central Ethiopia. International Journal of Crop Science and Technology, 1(2), 1-12.
AMA Duga J, Dechassa N, Dessalegne L. Effect of Seed Priming with Potassium Nitrate on Bulb Yield and Seed Quality of Onion (Allium Cepa L.), under Rift Valley Conditions, Central Ethiopia. IJCST. November 2015;1(2):1-12.
Chicago Duga, Jima, Nigussie Dechassa, and Lemma Dessalegne. “Effect of Seed Priming With Potassium Nitrate on Bulb Yield and Seed Quality of Onion (Allium Cepa L.), under Rift Valley Conditions, Central Ethiopia”. International Journal of Crop Science and Technology 1, no. 2 (November 2015): 1-12.
EndNote Duga J, Dechassa N, Dessalegne L (November 1, 2015) Effect of Seed Priming with Potassium Nitrate on Bulb Yield and Seed Quality of Onion (Allium Cepa L.), under Rift Valley Conditions, Central Ethiopia. International Journal of Crop Science and Technology 1 2 1–12.
IEEE J. Duga, N. Dechassa, and L. Dessalegne, “Effect of Seed Priming with Potassium Nitrate on Bulb Yield and Seed Quality of Onion (Allium Cepa L.), under Rift Valley Conditions, Central Ethiopia”, IJCST, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 1–12, 2015.
ISNAD Duga, Jima et al. “Effect of Seed Priming With Potassium Nitrate on Bulb Yield and Seed Quality of Onion (Allium Cepa L.), under Rift Valley Conditions, Central Ethiopia”. International Journal of Crop Science and Technology 1/2 (November 2015), 1-12.
JAMA Duga J, Dechassa N, Dessalegne L. Effect of Seed Priming with Potassium Nitrate on Bulb Yield and Seed Quality of Onion (Allium Cepa L.), under Rift Valley Conditions, Central Ethiopia. IJCST. 2015;1:1–12.
MLA Duga, Jima et al. “Effect of Seed Priming With Potassium Nitrate on Bulb Yield and Seed Quality of Onion (Allium Cepa L.), under Rift Valley Conditions, Central Ethiopia”. International Journal of Crop Science and Technology, vol. 1, no. 2, 2015, pp. 1-12.
Vancouver Duga J, Dechassa N, Dessalegne L. Effect of Seed Priming with Potassium Nitrate on Bulb Yield and Seed Quality of Onion (Allium Cepa L.), under Rift Valley Conditions, Central Ethiopia. IJCST. 2015;1(2):1-12.