Yield and Storage Performance of Onion (Allium cepa L.) Genotypes under in situ and ex-situ Conditions

Abstract

Onion (Allium cepa L.) varieties grown in Uganda are anticipated to have different yield and storage potential. To determine the yield and storage performance of onion varieties, a field experiment was conducted at Namulonge in Uganda. The experiment constituted six onion varieties as treatments arranged in a completely randomized block design (RCBD) replicated thrice. During the cropping seasons, total and economic yield data was collected and analyzed. The total and economic yield of onions were found to be significantly (P= .05) influenced by varietal effects. Among the onion varieties, Bombay red East Africa provided the highest (4690 kg ha-1) yield while the control (local cultivar) yielded (770 kg ha-1) least. The highest economic yield (2867 kg ha-1) was realized from red creole variety while the lowest yield (687 kg ha-1) was obtained from the control. The economic yield of onions was also influenced by cropping seasons with the highest yield (2693 kg ha-1) obtained during 2017B. Although the control yielded least it had the longest shelf life because after 112 days of storage it had the lowest sprouting and rotting percentage (50%). These results are useful in guiding onion farmers in selecting varieties with high yield and storage potential.