Comparative Study of Three Varieties and Application Methods of Muriate of Potash Fertilizer on Growth and Yield of Onion

Abstract

A comparative study on the growth and yield of onions was conducted at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University's Horticulture farm from October 2021 to March 2022 during the Rabi season. The experiment employed a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with two factors: onion varieties (V1=BARI Piaz-1, V2=BARI Piaz-4, V3=BARI Piaz-6) and muriate of potash fertilizer application methods (M1=Basal application (Full dose), M2 = ½ basal application + ½ 25 DAT (Days after transplanting), M3 = ⅓ basal application + ⅓ 25 DAT + ⅓ 50 DAT). The results showed significant impacts of both onion varieties and potash fertilizer application methods on growth and yield. Among the onion varieties, BARI Piaz-4 (V2) exhibited the highest bulb weight per plant (66.52g), yield per plot (1.60 kg), and yield per hectare (17.74 t). Regarding potash fertilizer application, the ⅓ basal + ⅓ 25 DAT + ⅓ 50 DAT method (M3) resulted in the highest bulb weight per plant (59.97 g), bulb yield per plot (1.44 kg), and onion yield per hectare (15.99 t). The combination treatment of BARI Piaz-4 and the ⅓ basal + ⅓ 25 DAT + ⅓ 50 DAT potash fertilizer application (V2M3) produced the best results, with the highest bulb weight per plant (73.50 g), yield per plot (1.76 kg), and bulb yield per hectare (19.59 t). In conclusion, cultivating BARI Piaz-4 with a three-times split application of muriate of potash fertilizer (V2M3) can significantly enhance onion growth and yield, facilitating improved quality production.