ASSESSING THE RESPONSE OF GREEN ONION TO NITROGEN RATE AND PLANT DENSITY ON YIELD AND QUALITY
ABSTRACT
A field experiment was conducted at the Central Laboratory for Agricultural Climate (CLAC), Agricultural Research Center (ARC), to assess the response of green onion to three nitrogen rates, i.e., 100% as a recommended rate, 125 and 150% as excess rates, plus three plant densities such as 80 plants per square meter as a control and 100 and 120 plants per m2 as a heavy plant density. Seedlings of (Allium cepa L. vc. Giza 20) were transplanted on 1st October in the 2022 and 2023 seasons, respectively. Treatments were put in a spilt plot design with three replications. Nitrogen rates were arranged in the main plot, while, plant density was arranged in the sub-main plot. Vegetative growth parameters were taken, such as (plant length, number of leaves, bulb diameter, and neck girth per plant). When, yield productivity was determined as fresh weigh/plant and productivity per square meter. Also, chemical concentrations were indicated in the plant as N, P, and K. When, T.S.S. was determined as a quality parameter/plant. Moreover, reduction in the fresh weight of weed per square meter was recorded. Results reflected that, all tested parameters were affected significantly by nitrogen rates with plant density. The highest productivity of green onion per square meter was obtained with applied 150% rate from nitrogen, plant density by 120 plants per square meter and the interaction between them. In the same way, an evaluation of costs and benefits revealed that the alternative methods of cultivation led to higher economic income. More advanced, there is a positive role in reducing the fresh weight of weed.