Storability evaluation of short day onion populations and cultivars in non-controlled storage

Document Type : Full Paper

Author

Assistant Professor, Seed and Plant Research Improvement Department, Khuzestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center , AREEO, Ahwaz, Iran

Abstract

In order to compare the storability of short day onion populations and cultivarsin non-controlled storage, this research was conducted at Behbahan Agriculture Research Station from 2013 to 2014 for two years.  Seeds were sown in nursery in late September. Seedlings were transplanted at 2-3 leaf stages. Evaluation of bulb storability was performed by using split plot experiment based on RCBD with four replications. Main plot consisted of eight populations  and cultivars (Behbahan, Padook, Ramhormoz, Iranshahr and Brazjan landraces, Primavera and Texas Early Grano cultivars and improved population of  Behbahan  onion) and six storage times (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 months) considered as sub plots. The monthly bulb loss weight percentage decreased with passing time. Improved population of Behbahan onion had the most sever weigh losses (20.26%). Damage of black mold increased until the third month of storage and then decreased. Ramhormoz landrace was the most sensitive genotype damaging from black mold (39.47%). The highest percentage of bulb rotting (29.65%) was recorded for Primavera cultivar and storability of this cultivar was significantly lower than other genotypes. Bulb sprouting was observed from the third month of storage. Iranshahr landrace had the highest bulb sprouting (31.57%). Results showed that according to storability, improved population of Behbahan onion and Texas Early Grano were better than other genotypes.

Keywords

Main Subjects


  1. Abbey, L., Danquah, O. A.,  Kanton, R. A. L. & Olympio, N. S. (2000). Characteristics and storage performance of eight onion cultivars. Ghana Journal of Science, 40, 9-13. 
  2. Biswas, S. K., Khair, A., Sarkar, P. K. & Alom, M. S. (2010). Yield and storability of onion (Allium cepa L.) as affected by varying levels of irrigation. Bangladesh Journal of Agriculture Research, 321(5), 247-255.
  3. Bosekeng, B. (2012). Response of onion (Allium cepa L.) to sowing date and plant population. M. S. Thesis. Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science Univercity of Free State, South Africa.
  4. Brewster, J. L. (2008). Onions and other vegetable alliums. (2nd ed.). CABI International.
  5. Brice, J., Currah, L., Malinsa, A. & Bancroft, R. (1997). Onion Storage in the Tropics.  A practical guide to methods of storage and their selection. Chatham, UK: Natural Resources Institute.
  6. Bufler, G. (2001). A simple method to monitor onion bulb dormancy. Acta Horticulturae, 553, 129-130.
  7. Darabi, A. & Salehi, R. (2014). Comparison of quantitative and qualitative characteristics and storability of onion populations.  Agricultural Crop Management (Journal of Agriculture), 16 (3), 531-543. (in Farsi)
  8. El-Nagerabi, S. A. F. & Ahmed, A. H. M. (2003). Storability of onion bulbs contaminated by Aspergillus niger mold. Phytoparasitica, 31(5), 515-523.
  9. Fenwick, G. R. & Hanleya, B. (1990). Chernical cornposition. In: H. D. Rabinowith & J. L.  Brewster (Eds), Onions and Allied Crops, Vol. 3. (pp. 17-31). Boca Raton: CRC Press.
  10. Gautam, I. P., Khateri, B. & Paudel, G. P. (2006). Evaluation of different varieties of onion and their transplanting times for off-season production in mid hills of Nepal. Nepal Agricultural Research Journal, 7, 21-26.
  11. Ko, S. S. (2001). Identification of good storability in short-day onion and its mechanism of resistance to Aspergillus niger.  Ph.D. Thesis.  Natl. Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China.
  12. Ko, S. S., Chang, W. N., Wang, J. F., Chreng, S. J.  & Shanmuugasundram, S. (2002a). Storage variability among short-day onion under high temperature and high humidity, and its relation with disease incidence and bulb characteristics. Journal of American Society for Horticultural Science, 127(5), 848-854.
  13. Ko, S. S., Huang J. W., Wang, J. F., Shanmuugasundaram, S. & Chang, W. N. (2002b). Evaluation of onion cultivars for resistance to Aspergillus niger, the causal agent of black mold. Journal of American Society for Horticultural Science, 127(4), 697-702.
  14. Marine, S., Sanchis, V., Seans, R., Ramos, A. J., Vinas, I. & Magan, N. (1998). Ecological determination for germination and growth of some Aspergillus and Penicillium spp. from maize grain. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 84, 25-36.
  15. Miedema, P. (1994). Bulb dormancy in onion. I. The effects of temperature and cultivar on sprouting and rooting. Journal of Horticultural Science, 69, 29-39.
  16. Miedema, P. & Kamminga, G. C. (1994).  Bulb dormancy in onion. II. The role of cytokinins in high- temperature imposed sprout inhibition. Journal of Horticultural Science, 64, 41-45.
  17. Moradizanian, R., Zarbaksh, A. & Khodadadi, M. (2010). Effect of sulfur on the yield, quality and storability of two onion (Allium cepa L.) cultivars. Seed and Plant Improvement Agriculture, 26-2 (20), 153-168. (in Farsi)
  18. Msuya, D. G., Reuben, S. O. W. M., Mbilinyi, L. B, Maerere , A. P.,  Msogoya, T., Mulungu, L. S. &  Misangu, R. N. (2005). Evaluation of field performance and storage of some tropical short day onion (Allium cepa L.) cultivars. Anna/s of Seri Lanka. Department of Agriculture, 4, 319-326.
  19. Musa, S. K., Habish, H. A., Abdallahand, A. A. & Adlan, B. B. (1973). Problem of onion storage in the Sudan. Tropical Science, 15, 319-327.
  20. Pal, N., Singh, N. & Choudhury, B. (1988). Correlation and path coefficient studies in onion. Indian Journal of Horticultural Science, 45, 295-299.
  21. Rajapakes, R. G. A. S. & Edirimanna, E. R. S. P. (2002). Management of bulb rot of big onion (Allium cepa L.) during storage using fungicides. Anna/s of the Sri Lanka Department. Agriculture, 4, 319-326.
  22. Ramin, A. A. (1999). Storage potential of bulb onion (Allium cepa L.) under High temperatures. Journal of Horticultural Science & Biotechnology, 74(2), 181-186.
  23. Rao, C. V. & Rajasab, A. H. (1992). Investigation on black mold (Aspergillus niger) of onion. Onion Newsletter Tropic, 4, 66-67.
  24. Rostam Forudi, B. (2006). Study on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of onion cultivars and determination of the relation between some characters and storability. Seed and Plant, 22 (1): 67-86. (in Farsi)
  25. Schroeder, B. K. & Du Tiot, L. J. (2010). Effect of postharvest onion curing parameters on entrobactor bulb decay in storage. Plant Disease, 94, 1425-2430.
  26. Sumner, D. R. (1995). Diseases of bulbs caused by fungi, black mold. In: H.F. Schwartz &S.K. Mohan (Eds). Compendium of onion and garlic diseases. (pp. 26-27). APS Press, Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States of America.
  27. Tanaka, K. (1991). Studies on the black mold disease of onion bulb caused by Aspergillus niger Van Tieghem (in Japannese, with English summary). Bulletin of Agriculture Faculty Saga University, 70, 1-54.
  28. Tanaka, M., Chee, K. & Komochi, S. (1985). Studies on the storage of autumn harvested onion bulb. I. Influence of storage temperature and humidity on the sprouting during storage. Research Bulletin of the Hokkaido National Agricultural Experimental station, 141, 1-16.
  29. Tucker, W. G., Stowand, G. R. & Ward, C. M. (1977). The high temperature storage of onion in United Kingdom. Acta Horticulturae, 62, 181-189.
  30. Wright, P.J. & Grant, D. G. (1997). Effects of cultural practices at harvest on onion bulb quality and incidence of rots in storage. New Zealand Journal of Crop Science and Horticultural, 25, 353-358.
  31. Yoo, K. S., Andersen, C. R. & Pike, L. M. (1997). Internal CO2 concentrations in onion bulbs at different storage temperatures and in response to sealing of the neck and base. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 12, 157-163.