Effect of irrigation schedules on yield and water use of onion (Allium cepa L.)

Abstract

In order to study the effect of different irrigation schedules on yield and water use of onion (Allium cepa L., cv. 
Alek and Kupusinski jabučar), a field experiment was conducted on the calcareous chernozem soil in the 
Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad in Serbia during 2005, 2006 and 2007 growing seasons. The 
experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design and adapted to conditions of sprinkling 
irrigation. Three irrigation treatments according to available soil water depletion (Т1 30, Т2 50 and Т3 70%) and a 
rainfed treatment (Т0) were included. Results showed that onion yield was significantly affected by irrigation. 
The highest onion bulb yields of 30.22 and 34.99 t ha-1 were obtained from treatment T1 and Т3, respectively, in 
2005. However, the highest onion bulb yields of 38.46 and 40.07 t ha-1 were obtained from T2 and Т3 treatment in 
2006 and 40.96 t ha-1 from T1 treatment in 2007, respectively. The lowest yield of 10.10 t ha-1 was obtained from 
T0 treatment in 2007 with limited precipitation and higher than average seasonal temperatures. The seasonal 
evapotranspiration values of irrigated (ETirr) and non irrigated (ETO) onions ranged from 435.6 to 542.9 and 
290.2 to 393.9 mm, respectively. The highest and lowest water use efficiency (WUE) of 91.35 kg and 34.80 kg ha
1mm-1 was obtained in irrigation and rainfed conditions in 2007, respectively. The highest irrigation water use 
efficiency (IWUE) of 280.54 kg ha-1 mm-1 was obtained from Т1 treatment in 2007, while the lowest value of 45.83 
kg ha-1 mm-1 was obtained from T1 treatment during the rainy period of 2005. High yields of bulbs produced 
from treatments Т1, Т2 and Т3 in different years indicated that amount and distribution of precipitation seriously 
affected the soil water regime and irrigation schedule of onion in the region. Therefore, irrigation schedule of 
onion has to be adjusted to climatic conditions of each year, mostly to amount and distribution of precipitation.