Abstract

Lack of improved varieties and production practices have been the bottlenecks of shallot productivity in Amhara region. Bulb topping have been traditionally practiced among shallot growers in the region though its importance remained controversial among interested groups worldwide. There was no recommended spacing for shallot in the study area and farmers used to practice broadcasting. Thus, a field experiment was conducted to investigate intra-row spacing, variety, bulb topping and their interactions influences on yield and quality of shallot and thereby to recommend the optimum practices. The study was undertaken between December 2009 and May 2010 at Gudalima nursery site, Aneded Woreda. Three different intra-row spacings (10, 15 and 20 cm) and two bulb types (whole and topped at one-third of bulb height) were evaluated using four varieties of shallot (‘local’, ‘Negelle’, ‘Huruta’ and ‘Minjar’) with RCBD replicated three times. Data were recorded and subjected to ANOVA using SAS 9.2 software. The results of the study showed significant varitial, intra-row spacing, two way, and three way interaction effects. Topped bulbs of ‘Huruta’ planted at 20 cm and ‘Minjar’ planted at 10 cm intra-row spacings produced the highest and the lowest bulb weight per plant respectively. Topped bulbs of Huruta and Negelle planted at 20 cm intra-row spacing produced the highest marketable yield per ha. Using the topped bulbs of ‘Huruta’ and ‘Negelle’ at wider intra-row spacing positively influenced the majority of yield and quality parameters evaluated. Thus, it is advisable to use the 20 cm intra-row spacing and topped bulbs for better production of marketable yield. However, further investigations should be made to come up with complete recommendations.

Key words: Bulb topping, intra-row spacing, quality, shallot.