Effects of Priming on Onion Seed Germination and Field Performance during Summer Sowing

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the suitable to priming treatments on seed germination, bulb production and quality of onion.

Study Design: The experiment was set up in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications.

Place and Duration of the Study: The experiment was conducted in Horticulture farm at Sher-e Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh from April to October 2021.

Methodology: Seeds were immersed in each priming media for 12 and 24 hours, including distilled water, IAA (100 ppm), KCl (2.5%), and PEG-6000 (10%). The treatments were consisted of T1 (water 12 hr)), T2 (water 24 hr), T3 (PEG 12 hr), T4 (PEG 24 hr), T5 (IAA 12 hr), T6 (IAA 24 hr), T7 (KCl 12 hr) and T8 (KCl 24 hr).

Results: The maximum germination percentage (93%), plant height (25.93 cm), total chlorophyll (28.47 mg/g) of onion leaves, bulb yield (19.96 t/ha), total soluble solid (14.05 °Brix), reducing sugar (7.41%), and phenolic content (11.12 mg/100 g) of onion bulbs were recorded in the T3 treatment. However, the maximum fresh leaves/plant at bulb formation stage (3.73) and ascorbic acid content of onion bulb (7.20 mg/100 g) was recorded in T4 treatment.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that seed priming with PEG6000 (10%) for 12 hours improved growth, yield, and quality compared to other priming treatments.