# Yield and quality performance of onion (Allium cepa L.) hybrid varieties in response to nitrogen fertilization in Northwest Ethiopia

## TL;DR

This study evaluates how different nitrogen fertilizer levels affect the yield and quality of hybrid onion varieties in Ethiopia.

## Contribution

The study identifies the optimal nitrogen rate and hybrid variety for maximizing onion yield and profitability in Northwest Ethiopia.

## Key findings

- The Russet variety with 82 kg ha⁻¹ nitrogen produced the highest marketable bulb yield (57.84 t ha⁻¹).
- Partial budget analysis showed the highest net benefits and return from the Russet variety with 82 kg ha⁻¹ nitrogen.
- Nitrogen fertilizer and hybrid variety significantly influenced onion growth, yield, and quality.

## Abstract

Onion is one of the most important vegetable crops in Ethiopia, including in the Koga Irrigation Scheme. However, the limited availability of hybrid varieties and the inappropriate application of nitrogen fertilizer are major constraints to onion production. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of nitrogen fertilizer on the growth, yield, and quality of hybrid onion varieties and to determine the optimum nitrogen fertilizer rate while identifying productive hybrid cultivars for economical onion production. The study consisted of four hybrid onion varieties (Red Coach, Russet, Jambar, and Bombay Red) and four levels of nitrogen fertilizer (0, 41, 82, and 123 kg ha⁻¹). The results indicated that the main effects of varieties and nitrogen fertilizer significantly influenced all the tested parameters of onion. The highest marketable bulb yield (57.84 t ha⁻¹) was obtained from the Russet variety with 82 kg ha⁻¹ of nitrogen fertilizer. Based on the partial budget analysis, the highest net benefits (12,419.87 USD ha⁻¹) and the highest marginal rate of return (3061.09%) were recorded from the treatment combination of the Russet variety with 82 kg ha⁻¹ of nitrogen fertilizer. Therefore, growing the Russet variety with 82 kg ha⁻¹ of nitrogen fertilizer is recommended for the economical production of onion in the study area and other areas with similar agro-ecological conditions.