Evaluating the Adaptability of Hybrid Onions for Yield and Performance Analysis in Northwestern Tigray
Kiros Asgele *
Shire-Maitsebri Agricultural Research Center, Po. Box 241, Shire, Tigray, Ethiopia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
A field experiment was carried out in October 2019 in Tselemti District, North Western Zone of Tigray to assess the adaptability of seven registered hybrid onion varieties and one standard check for yield and yield attributing parameters of onion (Allium cepa L.). The tested hybrid onion varieties included MALBEC F1, NEPTUNE, RUSSET, JAMBAR, RED KING F1, RED COACH F1, ANKIN F1, and NASIK RED (Standard Check), and the experiment followed a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The results indicated that the variety significantly impacted all characteristics except for neck thickness and bulb length. MALBEC F1 demonstrated the highest marketable bulb yield, followed by NEPTUNE, RUSSET, JAMBAR, and RED KING F1, yielding 49.81, 49.04, 48.02, 46.49, and 45.65 tons per hectare, respectively. Conversely, the lowest bulb yield was observed in NASIK RED (34.90) and ANKIN F1 (34.04 tons per hectare). Consequently, it is recommended that MALBEC F1, NEPTUNE, RUSSET, JAMBAR, and RED KING F1 hybrid onion varieties are the most adaptable and highest yielding options in the study area.
Keywords: Hybrid Onions, onion varieties, vegetable crops, onion production