ISHS Acta Horticulturae 533: VIII International Symposium on Timing Field Production in Vegetable Crops
EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT PLANT DENSITIES AND PLANTING SYSTEMS ON ONION (ALLIUM CEPA L.) BULB QUALITY AND YIELD |
| Authors: | V. Dellacecca, A.F.S. Lovato |
| Keywords: | bulb yield, plant densities, plantlets |
| Abstract:
Research was carried out in northeastern Italy on three cultivars of onion with the aim of evaluating the effects of three plant densities (26.6 - 40 - 80 plants m-2), three different planting systems (direct sowing, transplanting of plantlets from the nursery, and plantlets grown in polystyrene cellular trays), and two different transplant times (November and March). In the first research two cultivars were compared: 'Borettana' (medium-early) and 'Dorata di Bologna' (late), three different plant systems combined with three growing densities (see over); the end of February was the time of sowing or transplant. In the second trial three cultivars were compared: 'Senshyu', 'Borettana', and 'Dorata di Bologna', and transplant of plantlets, of different ages grown in the nursery and in cellular trays, in two time periods (November and March). The plant density was 40 plants m-2. The results showed that the cultivars had a much different behavior, related to their frost susceptibility, that can induce the plants to set seed, particularly when transplanted early. The technique of transplant of plantlets from cellular trays appeared to be very good; this technique allowed for high yield increases and good earliness also at mean densities (40 plants m-2), in comparison with direct sowing and transplant of plantlets from nursery. The choice of the cultivars and the transplant time is very important for obtaining good yields. The greater cost for plantlets purchase can be justified. | |
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