Effect of root booster fertigation on yield, water use and storability of onion (Allium cepa L.) Rasooli Mohammad Ali, Kale K. D., Shinde M. G., Shinde S. D. Interfaculty, Department of Irrigation Water Management, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri-413 722, Maharashtra Online published on 14 November, 2019. Abstract A field experiment was conducted in order to study the effect of root booster fertigation on yield and storability of onion (Allium cepa L.). The experiment was conducted by adopting randomized block design with nine treatments, replicated three times. The treatments comprised of three levels of root booster fertigation (5.0, 7.0 and 9.0 liter) and two levels of fertilizers (75 and 100% recommended dose). The average bulb weight, bulb yield, weight of leaves and bulbs to leaves ratio were significantly higher due to drip irrigation (DI) with 100% RDF + 9 lit ha−1 fertigation of root booster, which was followed by DI with 100% RDF + 7 lit ha−1 fertigation of root booster. The total irrigation water applied in drip and surface irrigation (DI and SI) was 341 and 600 mm, respectively. The maximum water use efficiency was observed due to DI with 100% RDF + 9 lit ha−1 fertigation of root booster. The DI with 75% RDF + 9 lit ha−1 fertigation of root booster resulted in to lowest rotting, physiological and total weight losses during storage. Thus drip irrigation with 100% RDF and fertigation of 9 lit ha−1 root booster at weekly interval for eight weeks is the best treatment for improved growth and yield of rabi onion cultivated in semi-arid region of Maharashtra state. Top Keywords Root booster fertigation, yield, water use and storability of onion. Top |