American-Eurasian J. Agric. & Environ. Sci., 15 (2): 220-225, 2015 ISSN 1818-6769 © IDOSI Publications, 2015 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.aejaes.2015.15.2.12515 Corresponding Author: Dr. Azhar Hussain Shah, Department of Botany, Hazara University, Mansehra, Pakistan. Tel: +92-03009183399. Fax: +92-0997530046. 220 Nutrient Management for Improving Onion Productivity Muhammad Farooq, Azhar Hussain Shah, Ahmad Abbas Malik, 1 1 2 Niaz Ali, Uzma Khan, Abdul Majid and Habib Ahmad 1 1 1 3 Department of Botany, Hazara University, Mansehra Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan 1 Agriculture research Station Buffa, Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan 2 Department of Genetics, Hazara University, Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan 3 Abstract: In present study two onion varieties (Mansehra local and Swat-1) were evaluated against six treatments (T0=control, T1=NPK @120+60+60 Kg/ha, T2= 20 tons FYM+5 tons Poultry manure/ha, T3=40 tons FYM+5 tons Poultry manure/ha, T4= 60 tons FYM+5 tons Poultry manure/ha and T5=80 tons FYM+5 tons Poultry manure/ha) to select suitable concentration/combination of fertilizer to improve onion productivity. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with split plot arrangement using three replications. Onion varieties were assigned to main plot whereas fertilizer treatments to sub plots. The data were recorded for different traits. Onion variety Mansehra local performed well as compared to Swat-1 in terms of many crop parameters under the agro-climatic conditions of the area. Mansehra local showed higher survival percentage (99.66%), better plant height (60.06 cm), higher number of leaves per plant (12.69 leaves/plant), higher water contents (85.04 %), higher bulb diameter (7.101), higher bulb weight (153.27 g) and higher bulb yield (41.01957 t/ha) than Swat 1. As far as fertilizer treatments are concerned T4 (60 tons FYM+5 tons Poultry manure/ha) was proved to be best fertilizer treatment for most of the agronomic traits. Keeping in view the results, variety Mansehra local and fertilizer treatment T4 were recommended for farming in Mansehra and other areas with similar climatic conditions to increase onion production. This will not only help to improve the economic return and revenue generation of the farmers but also lower the growing onion market prices in the country. Key words: Swat-1 Onion Fertilizer Bulb Organic and treatment INTRODUCTION during 2008 Pakistan ranked fourth in onion production. Allium is one of the 57 genera of angiosperms that China was ranked first with total production of 20,817,295 have more than 500 species It is by far the largest genus tons, India stood second with production of 8,178,300 . in the Amaryllidaceae. Majority of Allium species are tons and USA ranked third with 3,349,170 tons. native to the Northern Hemisphere, mainly in Asia Allium In Pakistan per hector yield of onion is low (15-17 ton cepa has cylindrical to ovoid or rounded bulbs with coats per ha) as compared to the rest of onion producing papery, white to brownish or reddish [1]. countries. Major causes of low production are (i) poor Onion besides being used as food is also used as varietal selection, (ii) fertilizer mismanagement and (iii) medicine for the treatment of various diseases in different ignoring the area as potential high yield area. Farmers parts of the world [2]. In South Asia especially Pakistan usually depend upon inorganic fertilizers to improve onion is used as important and essential ingredient of a onion yield because modern agricultural practices large number of food recipes. Nutritionally onion contains encourage the use of inorganic fertilizers to boost the a number of important nutrients and fair amount of crop yield but, it has deleterious effects on soil energy. It contains 1.6 KJ/g energy, carbohydrates 10%, physiochemistry as well as they are highly expensive. On fats 0.1 %, protein 1%, water 89% and considerable the other hand organic material like farmyard manure amount on vitamins and minerals. According to FAO (FYM) enhances plant growth, development and Total production of Pakistan was recorded 2,015,200 tons.