Abstract
A series of experiments were carried out at the USDA-Alliums Field Laboratory, Horticulture Farm, Department of Horticulture, BAU, Mymensingh during the period from March, 2004 to December, 2007. The main objective of the experiments was to solve the storage problem of summer onion bulbs and subsequent seed production from the stored bulbs. Experiments were done to observe the effect of application of growth regulators, different storage temperature, planting density, fertilizer, planting and harvesting time, shoot bending, curing methods and subsequent seed production from stored bulbs. Pre- harvest application of Maleic hydrazide at 1000 ppm and bulbs stored at 30°C were found good for storage and seed production. Wider spacing (15cm x 20cm) significantly showed longer storage ability of bulbs. Plants received 50% organic and 50% inorganic fertilizer of the recommended dose of Spices Research Center (CD-Urea-TSP-MP-ZnO-Gypsum @ 5 t/ha-200-175-150-3-110 kg/ha) showed better performance for long shelf life. Early planting (15 March) and harvesting at 85 days after planting gave the best result for storage. Pre-harvest shoot bending, harvested bulbs with tops and bulbs cured under shade showed the best performance for storage as well as for seed production. From the over all results, a package for storage and seed production has been suggested. The package was early planting (15 March); pre-harvesting MH application (1000 ppm); 15cm x 20cm spacing; 50% organic and 50% inorganic fertilizer of SRC dose; pre-harvest shoot bending; bulbs
cured with tops under shade; bulbs harvesting after 85 days of planting and bulbs stored at 30°C was for storage and seed production.