Effect of Various Nursery Media on Onion Seedlings Development

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to standardize the nursery raising technique for onion at the Horticulture Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, Allahabad Agricultural Institute-Deemed University, Allahabad, during 2005-2006. The treatments comprised combinations of soil, sand, FYM and vermicompost. Altogether, 14 treatments were applied in a randomized block design with three replications. Hundred percent germination was found with a combination of soil, sand and FYM in proportions of 2:1:2&2:2:1, and, 1:1:1&2:2:1 Soil:Sand:Vermicompost. Among all the treatments, the combination of soil 2 parts, sand 1 part and FYM 2 parts, significantly influenced growth and health of seedlings and produced the maximum seedling height (11.42 cm), stem diameter (0.33 cm), root length (10.86 cm), shoot fresh weight (6.96 g), root fresh weight (3.22 g), total seedling fresh weight (10.18 g), shoot dry weight (3.95 g), root dry weight (1.53 g) and total seedling dry weight (5.48g). Highest benefit:cost ratio of 3.72 was also seen in this treatment combination.