Effect of some quality traits of onion (Allium cepa L.), variety and planting date on seed yield in late kharif planting under Odisha condition

Quality seed is the basic and critical input of onion production. However, the seed supply is inadequate, which leads to increase in price every year. The quality is also not up to mark. The seed production in onion is very difficult phenomena. Apart from the suitable varieties, appropriate time of planting is also one of the important factors, which influences the growth, yield and quality of crop and ultimately the seed yield and quality. Odisha owing to its agro-climatic diversity has much potential in producing onion that it can meet whole of its demand and export to the other states, which need to be explored. This present study was carried out to identify a suitable variety and time of planting for quality onion seed production under Odisha condition. Healthy and disease free bold seedlings of five different varieties of onions raised by adopting standard nursery techniques were transplanted at five different dates of planting. It was observed that both the date of planting and varieties significantly influenced the plant height at three different days after planting (DAP) viz. 75, 90 and 105. Similar effect was also observed on the number of leaves per plant. The influence on the survival (%) from seedling to bulbing and from bulbing to seed setting was also studied. According to the pooled data of both years, the highest seed yield per hectare was recorded in Arka Niketan (701.49 kg), irrespective of the effect of planting date. Similarly, irrespective of variety, the highest seed yield per hectare was recorded in the in D2 planting i.e., 25th September (809.51 kg) which was statistically significant from others.