Obtención de semillas botánicas de cebolla (Allium cepa L.) bajo dos métodos de vernalización en Topes de Collantes, Cuba.

The investigation was carried out in Topes de Collantes with the objective of evaluating two methods of “vernalization" of Allium cepa L. var., Caribe 71 in natural conditions. Two groups of bulblets (from the previous harvest) were selected and subjected to methods different vernalization, the conventional (storage in cold storage at temperatures between 2 and 3 0C, for 100 days) and natural (storage during 125 days within a rustic house with walls of palm board and a thatched roof, at room temperature). The bulblets from both treatments were planted randomly in different field plots. During the development of the plantation were evaluated, agronomic variables related to seed production and the yield of onion bulbs. The conventional method was statistically superior to natural, on the seed production; although the natural method was superior in the commercial yield of the onion bulbs. It is concluded that can be used method of natural vernalization in the climatic conditions of Topes de Collantes , because the seeds production are lower than the conventional vernalization, but higher yields of commercial onion bulbs are obtained, and is an economical method accessible to the producers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]