Combined effect of set size and planting distance on Kharif onion bulb

The combined effect of onion mother sets and planting distance on growth, quality, storage weight loss and yield attributes of variety N-53 was studied during kharif 1998–99 and 1999–2000. The maximum number of leaves (9.00 and 9.88), neck thickness of plant (2.13 and 2.39 cm) fresh weight (61.10 and 65.67g), diameter (5.07 and 5.15cm), neck thickness of bulb (1.85 and 2.05cm), recovery percentage of ‘A’ grade bulb (10.93 and 12.53%), Juice content in bulb (25.47 and 28.04%) and ambient storage weight loss of bulb (29.02 and 27.92%) were found with combination of larger set size (2.1–2.5cm) and wider planting distance (15 x 15cm) compared to all treatment combinations during both years. However, highest recovery percentage of ‘B’ grade bulb (86.15 - 88.78%), gross yield (342.33 - 364.54q/ha) and yield of marketable bulbs (327.06 - 154.14 q/ha) were obtained with combination of bigger size of sets (2.1 - 2.5cm) and closer planting distance (15 x 10cm).