Effect of interannual rainfall variability and distribution on growth and yield of kharif onion cultivars in India.

Four-year field experiments were conducted to assess the effect of interannual rainfall variability and distribution on the plant growth parameters and yield five kharif onion cultivars, viz. Bhima Super, Bhima Dark Red, Agrifound Dark Red, Arka Kalyan and Phule Samarth. Each cultivar was replicated six times. The plant growth parameters and yield were recorded during the plant growth period. The results showed that rainfall received 30-60 days after transplanting substantially and negatively affected the plant growth parameters and bulb yield of all the cultivars during the high-rainfall years while increasing onion bulb rotting losses. Bhima Super and Bhima Dark Red produced significantly higher marketable bulb yields throughout the experimental period. Hence these two cultivars can be successfully cultivated during the kharif season. However, they produced 44.5-63.6% lower yield during the high-rainfall than the low-rainfall years. This indicates that the yield of kharif onion cultivars could be further increased through improved management practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]