Quality and shelf-life of onion bulbs influenced by some bio-stimulates

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt during two winter seasons 2013-2015 to investigate the effects of some bio-stimulates commercial products (Humic acid, Amino acids, Siammino, CaBoron and Elga600) on yield, bulb quality and storage ability of onion cv Giza20. The experiments were laid out in randomized complete block design arrangement having three replications. Results indicated that all bio-stimulates treatments increased total yield and bulb weight significantly. The superior treatments were humic acid and amino acids. Bulbs obtained from plants treated with humic acid, caboron and elga600 had the highest bulb diameter than other treatments. The control plants had the lowest bulb TSS and firmness compared to other treatments but the differences were not significant. The lowest decay rates were obtained from plots that received amino acids and siammino, while humic acid (in first season) or siammino (in second season) had lowest weight loss of bulbs than other treatments.