Review on Mineral Nutrition of Onion (Allium cepa L)

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REVIEW ARTICLE

Review on Mineral Nutrition of Onion (Allium cepa L)

Getachew Amare1 , * Open Modal
Authors Info & Affiliations
The Open Biotechnology Journal • 23 Dec 2020 • REVIEW ARTICLE • DOI: 10.2174/1874070702014010134

Abstract

Proper nutrition is one of the factors which is limiting onion production. Onion yield and quality is affected by fertilization of macro and micro nutrients. Mineral nutrients, Nitrogen, phosphorous and Potassium are macronutrients which significantly affect onion production. Nitrogen and phosphorous fertilization significantly affect growth, yield and quality of onion. The requirement of mineral fertilizer varies from place to place, depending on different factors in the growing areas. Effective use of N, P and K fertilizer depends on soil condition, irrigation system, climatic factors and management factors. In all different research reports, it is described that onion is a heavy feeder for N, P, K and the application of these mineral elements enhance production significantly. The quality of onion, physiology and production is highly limited by fertilization of N, P and K fertilizers. Therefore, in this review the effect of mineral nutrition on growth, physiology and yield of onion are discussed and examined in detail.

Key Words: Onion, Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Fertilization, Yield, Quality.

1. INTRODUCTION

Allium crops and their relatives are recognized as a distinct family, the Alliaceae. According to estimations, there are about 750 species in the genus Allium, among which onion, Japanese bunching onion, leeks and garlic are the most important edible Allium crops [1]. The centre of origin of onion (Allium cepa L.) is believed to be in Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, western Tien Shan and India of onion, while western Asia and the areas near the Mediterranean Sea are secondary centres of development [2].

In some parts of West Africa, green leaves are propounded, and then used to make sun-dried and fermented balls, which are used later for food seasoning [3]. The extracted distillate of onion, commonly referred as “Onion oil” is widely used in the food preparations as seasoning and flavoring for savory products [4]. In addition, onion extracts could be considered not only interesting anti-browning agents [5], but also ingredients for functional food [6].

Compounds from onion are reported to have a range of health benefits which include anti-carcenogenic properties, anti-platelet activity, antit-hrombotic activity, asthmatic and antibiotic effects [7].

In many developing countries, onions are used to heal blisters and boils. In homeopathic medicine, onion is used for the treatment of rhinnorhea and hay fever [8]. Onion is cultivated in more than 130 countries across the world. The world annual production of onion in the year 2017 was 97,862,928 tons of dry bulbs from 5,201,591 hectares of land with an average yield 18.8 t ha-1. China is the top ranked producer of onion followed by countries like India, USA, Iran, Egypt, Russia and Turkey [9].

Onions are very sensitive to scarcity of nutrients than most vegetables because of their shallow and unbranched root characteristics; hence they mostly respond well to added fertilizers [10]. Nitrogen (N), Potassium (K), and phosphorus (P) are referred as primary macronutrients because of the large quantities taken up by plants from the soil relative to other essential nutrients. Most crops have a higher probability of being deficient in the availability of these nutrients [11].

Nitrogen is the main building block in cells as it accounts 7% of the total dry matter of most plants [12]. Since it is present in soil, air and water in different forms, it is very complex kind of mineral nutrient. Due to this problem, it is often difficult to give a conclusive recommendation about its dose and requirement [13]. Plants require nitrogen that might be attained from a combined supply of soil and fertilizer to ensure the required amount [14]. From mineral nutrients, Phosphorus scarcity is one of the most serious problems to onion cultivation in areas, owing to low availability and high P immobilization in soils [15].

In this regard, response to added P in such kind of areas is higher than others. As reported by researches impact of phosphorus is mainly on the root zone of the plant, in which restricted growth is exhibited. Potassium fertilizer also affects the growth, quality, and yield of onion. In view of the above, this review is done with the objective of: to review and examine effect of phosphorus and nitrogen fertilizers on physiology, yield and yield components onion.

2. EFFECT OF N AND P ON ONION

2.1. The Role of Nitrogen in Onion

The applied Nitrogen is observed as being the main component part in tissues of plants than other mineral nutrients. Nitrogen is a major component of many essential compounds that are building block in crops. Nitrogen is needed to form chlorophyll, proteins and it is one of the main components in amino acids and other compounds important for growth, photosynthesis and metabolism. A good supply of nitrogen stimulates root growth and development as well as the uptake of other nutrients [15].

Onion is a shallow rooted plant which is the cause for high N requirement. But high N causes accelerated growth, increased days maturity, higher susceptibility to pest, lower amount of dry matter, short days of storage and thus, result in low yield and quality onion [16, 17]. Similarly, in soils with a lower level of N, stunting, and lower yield quality of bulb is exhibited. Therefore, lower levels of N in the soil negates yield, quality and shelf life of onions [18].

The amount of N applied to onion crop is variable from area to area and varieties. High yielding varieties usually require more N than low yielding ones. Results from different climatic regions of the world also show varying responses of onions to applied N [19, 20]. In some areas, for increased yield and quality of production, higher rates of nitrogen are required, but larger amount of nitrogen exists in the soil after harvesting. According to the report by Visser [21] nearly 50% of the 120 kg ha-1 N commonly applied to onion fields was filtered out of the soil.

Variability in yield and quality by different nitrogen sources was investigated in different studies. One study reported that fresh and dry weights were higher by adding NO3- than NH4 and urea [22]. It is also reported that early fertilization of ammonium phosphate enhanced growth and yield of onion than ammonium nitrate [23]. This is different from the reports indicating that post-seeding addition of diammonium phosphate did not enhance the performance of transplants [24]. These variabilities could be by differences in cultural practices between direct seeding and transplanting. It was also reported that nitrogen is a limiting factor in the quality production of onions. Increased level of nitrogen in onions has resulted in better pungency than by lower levels [25, 26].

Nitrogen fertilization also helps in resistance against drought stress. This is due to its impact on adequate use of the available water in the soil. But, as leaching of nitrogen to the soil may increase water pollution therefore, applying optimum amount of nitrogen at the required time is mandatory [27, 28].

2.2. Role of Phosphorus in Onion

Phosphorus (P) is reported as the second most valuable mineral nutrient which has a significant effect on onion production [29]. Several physiological and biochemical processes in plants are affected by phosphorous, being an essential part of plant and constituent of adenosine di phosphate (ADP), adenosine triple phosphate (ATP), nucleic acid, phospholipids and phosphates. Phosphorus plays a major role in transfers of energy, plant maturity, fruiting and seed development [30].

Phosphorus is one of major mineral elements, it plays part in regulating many physiological processes in the plant, which in turn will alter onion yield. One fact must be put in mind is that, the provided P to the plant or the soil depends largely on the available reservation of this element in the soil, so the negative or the positive results may be due to sources stored in the soil. The availability of phosphorus in soil enhances plant growth and developmental processes. It is known that P is a major building material of DNA molecules [31]. In addition, P in soil existed in two forms as organic and inorganic. Organic P is the most stable form than inorganic P. Due to this, inorganic phosphorus is highly taken and utilized by crops if not fixed by soil [32].

The plants take up P in small amounts than N or potassium [13]. It has attracted a tremendous amount of research effort over the last century, but its behavior in the soil and availability to crops are still imperfectly understood. One reason could be that numerous inorganic forms of P in soils and the wide variation in behavior between soil types. There is a major difference between crops in their ability to take up different forms of phosphate. Deficient level of P is one of the major limiting factors in onion production in tropical areas, due to small availability and huge amount of fixation in soils [14]. This is because of essentiality characteristics of this mineral element for root growth and if the availability is deficient, plant growth is heavily limited. Phosphorous is less mobile and the use is mainly dependent on concentration gradient and diffusions in soil root zone [33].

In onions, scarcity of mineral element, mainly P, is reported in reducing plant growth, size of bulbs, marketable bulb yield and delays days to maturity [34]. Soils that have a moderate level of P, added P enhances growth, development and yield. Research reports on long-term fertilizer trials on loamy soils indicated that there is a strong response of onions to P fertilizers in the range 0 to 52 kg ha-1 P [35].

2.3. Role of Nitrogen and Phosphorous on Growth and Physiology of Onion

Higher N application generally increases growth, development and physiological parameters in onion plant. According to research, the enhanced growth could be due to its direct role as building substances in the synthesis of amino acids. They combine and form proteins to aid metabolism. It is stated that N is a building block of plant cell components and it plays a major role in the tissues of the plants. No other mineral is able to create an effect in promoting vigorous plants. Hence the increase in plant height due to mineral nitrogen could be by its effect on cell build-up [12, 36].

Table 1.
Effects of N and P on plant height, number of leaves, leaf length and diameter of onion
Nitrogen (Kg ha -1) Plant Height (cm) Leaves per Plant Leaf Length (cm) Leaf Diameter (cm)
0 51.55b 13.42b 42.75b 0.75a
69 56.89a 14.19b 47.67a 0.77a
92 56.52a 14.54a 47.59a 0.79a
115 56.87a 14.57a 48.41a 0.78a
138 57.65a 14.64a 48.83a 0.77a
F-test * * * NS
Phosphorus (Kg ha-1)
0 56.37a 14.43a 47.42a 0.74a
10 55.91a 14.06a 47.27a 0.77a
20 56.01a 14.29a 47.13a 0.79a
30 55.39a 14.07a 46.63a 0.75a
40 55.81a 14.24a 46.80a 0.81a
F-test NS NS NS NS
SEM(±) 2.22 0.64 1.99 0.05

Nitrogen carbohydrate accumulation and which is governed by availability of nutrients. This could enhance stem length and vegetative growths expressed in the increase of plant height. But, an increase in amount of nitrogen increases plant height up to a certain limit in which the increase stops. As for research reports, an increase of plant height can reach up 10% with an increase of nitrogen levels from zero to higher level 69 kg N ha-1 (Table 1) [37].

Other reports stated that the increase of the level of nitrogen fertilization to the highest amount of fertilization, 120kg N ha -1 increases plant height up to 58.4 cm, but on the contrary increase of nitrogen from 40-80 kg N ha-1 no significant difference was recorded [38]. Due to the heavy feeder characteristics of onion, in some studies, there is no increase in growth parameters by the application of lower levels of NPK. But, an increase in the level of nitrogen increases the growth parameters in onion. From growth parameters highest plant height is due to fertilization of higher level of nitrogen (120, 180, 240 kg N ha-1 [36, 39, 40]. The need for a higher level of nitrogen could be attributed to the heavy feeder characteristics, the shallow root system and the soil condition of the growing areas.

Leaf number is one of the growth characteristics which could be significantly affected by nitrogen fertilization. Application of NPK fertilization showed significant variation in its impact on the number of leaves. The increase in the number of leaves by applying NPK fertilizer is categorized by the impact of these minerals in the building different components of proteins required for leaf development. The rate at which maximum leaf number is recorded is variable from place to place and across growing conditions. In some areas 92 kg N ha-1 is high amount in which the higher number of leaves is recorded (Table 1) [37]. Some other reports also indicated that a higher level of fertilizer, 120 kg N ha-1 showed higher number of leaves [41]. Accordingly, a further increase to 150 kg N ha-1 is recommended to record larger leaf numbers [42]. Similarly, the reports on the effect of Phosphorus on onion are variable. Some reported that phosphorous fertilization increases plant growth and development [10, 36]. On the contrary, others reported that phosphorus does not show significant effect on plant height [37]. But recent study supported that phosphorous fertilization has a significant effect on growth parameters of onion [43].

Leaf characteristics of onion are significantly affected by mineral fertilizations which could be attributed by the role of N on chlorophyll, enzymes and proteins synthesis. As indicated in Table 1, N fertilization significantly increased leaf length, but also leaf diameter. Although the onion plant did not respond to further increase, application of 69 kg N ha-1 increased leaf length (47.67 cm) by about 11.5% as compared to the control (42.75 cm). The report also verified that phosphorous doesn’t affect leaf length and leaf diameter of onion [37]. But, the reports on the impact of N and P on leaf length and diameter are not conclusive enough. Some reports indicated that both N and P fertilizers don’t have significant impact on leaf length and diameter [36]. Whereas, other reports indicated that nitrogen fertilizer has a significant impact, but if applied in higher level 200 kg ha-1 [44]. This variation could be due to varietal differences and the production environment and soil conditions.

Nitrogen is one of the mineral elements which is the main constituent of fundamental cell components. It plays a vital role in tissue development of plants at a rate which other mineral elements can’t do proportionally. Reports also supported that nitrogen is an essential element in build-up of protoplasm and proteins, which induce cell division and meristematic activities. In adequate supply of Nitrogen, physiological processes exhibited marked increase which can be quantified by vegetative growth factors [45, 46].

Phosphorus fertilization enhances many physiological processes which involve inn production of cell components, notably nucleic acid, and phospholipids. It was also reported to induce physiological activities in plants; mainly in energy metabolism and hydrolysis of phosphate and various organic phosphate bonds. This impact is mainly visible in onion plant by enhanced growth, and yield due to the addition of Phosphorous [47, 48]

2.4. Effects of Nitrogen and Phosphorous on Bulb Characteristics of Onion

2.4.1. Neck Thickness and Split Bulbs

Neck-thickness is a physiological disorder mainly influenced by season, site and cultivar, not by mineral nutrients [16]. A report by Jilani [44] indicated that N at rate of 200 kg/ha increased the number of thick-necked bulbs and assumed as one of the good qualities of onion. Similarly, Abdissa et al. [37] explained that NP fertilization didn’t affect the formation of thick-necked bulbs, but increased bulb split in onion. Bulb splitting is also reported to be controlled genetically, in which shallots being extremely affected [49].

The increasing rate of nitrogen resulted in a greater number of thick naked bulbs than the lower levels of nitrogen [50]. Thick-nakedness in bulbs mainly occurred when the bulbs fail to complete normal bulb formation processes in which continuous leaf growth existed [51]. The continuous vegetative growth could be due to increased nitrogen fertilization, which enhances more cell division and thus results in continued growth leaves that keep the neck wide. Similarly, observed significant effect of nitrogen on neck thickness but not by phosphorus. Neck thickness is the factor which indicates the storability ability of onion. Onion with thick neck diameter shows less storability than thick necks. Accordingly, the higher the level of nitrogen, the higher the neck thickness. This causes less storability onions which are fertilized with higher rates of nitrogen [20, 38].

2.4.2. Bulb Diameter and Length

Bulb diameter and length is variable from verity to variety of onion and their response to NPK fertilization. The combination of optimum fertilization of NPK in different verities increases in bulb diameter of the onion [52]. Some reports magnify the impact of nitrogen on increasing bulb diameter than phosphorous and nitrogen fertilization. The impact of phosphorous on increasing bulb diameter and length and its direct impact on enhancing bulb characteristics is restricted than nitrogen [36, 53, 54].

The amount of nitrogen fertilizer for large diameter of bulbs and longer bulb height is variable. It depends on the condition of the soil and the management systems in the growing areas. In some areas, the range of nitrogen fertilization which was considered as optimum for larger bulb is between 120 to 150 kg N ha-1 [54, 55]. The impact of nitrogen on bulb diameter and length may be linked to the increase in dry matter production, its allocation to the bulb and to the role of phosphorus on partitioning assimilates to bulb development [56, 57].

Effect of NPK fertilizer on bulb diameter and length is reported to be affected by the level of irrigation water supply. Highest irrigation water with highest fertilization interacted in an increase of bulb diameter and length. In reverse, high level of fertilization of NPK with lower irrigation frequency and water level increases the amount of volatilization and loss of the fertilizers. This situation causes lower impact of NPK on bulb diameter and length [58].

2.5. Yield and Yield Related Characteristics

2.5.1. Bulb Dry Weight

Nitrogen acts as a building block for production of carbohydrates, amino acids, nucleic acids and chlorophylls. Nitrogen fertilization to the optimum level enhances the production of these substances thereby enhancing the bulb yield of onion. Bulb dry weight increases with an increase in nitrogen fertilization [59]. This is observed in an increase of 50 kg N ha-1 as yield of onion showed dramatic increase to 7.00, 22.51 and 27.40 percent from zero level of application [60]. Increasing the level of nitrogen from zero to the optimum level shows progressive increases in the bulb dry weight of onion. But further increase from that optimum level depresses down in quantity of bulb dry weight due to the toxicity impact of the fertilizer [55, 61, 62].

Phosphorous also enhances the plant growth and development of plants by its influential impact for components like nucleic acids and phospholipds. This is reflected on onion by increasing the bulb dry weight [63, 64]. According to Morsey et al. [65], increasing the P dose for onion fertilization from 16 units of P2O5 up to 48 units/fed recorded in an increase of bulb yield. It indicated that the heaviest tonnage of bulbs yield of 10.72 and 15.72 tons/fed respectively for 1 and 2 seasons were observed on plants which supplied the highest P rate of 48 units of P2O5 /fed. This could be due to the major influence of mineral P on the productivity of onion plant, hence enhanced amount of total bulb yield [64].

2.5.2. Mean Bulb Weight

Bulb weight of onion directly and positively correlated with plant height, leaf number, length of leaves and days to maturity and bulb size. Plant growth and yield parameters are also affected by fertilizing N and P during the growing period [15, 60, 64].

On the other hand, some other reports indicated as phosphorous fertilization does not significantly increase the mean bulb weight. But El-hamady [66] reported that Nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization significantly affected onion Bulb weight (Table 2). This report described an escalating level of N from 72 kg N ha-1 to 216 kg N ha-1 increases the bulb yield of onion to 151.59 and 152.43 g in 2013/14 and 2014/15 year, respectively. Similarly, the mean bulb weight of onion increases significantly when the rate of phosphorous increases from 37 kg P2O5 ha-1 to 148 kg P2O5 ha-1.

Accordingly, Abdissa et al. [37] reported that bulb weight of onion responds positively to added nitrogen. Mean bulb weight was enhanced by about 26% in by rate of 69 kg N ha-1 as compared to zero fertilizer application; although higher rate of N did not enhance bulb weight (Table 1).

Table 2.
Response of onion to nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer rates during 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 seasons.
Treatments Bulb Length (cm) Bulb Weight (g) Total Fresh Bulb Yield t/ha Marketable Yield t/ha T.S.S%
2013/2014 2014/2015 2013/2014 2014/2015 2013/2014 2014/2015 2013/2014 2014/2015 2013/2014 2014/2015
kg N ha -1
72 kg N ha -1 4.95 5.00 138.31 139.15 35.320 35.700 28.740 28.939 10.87 10.96
120 kg N ha -1 5.30 5.33 139.75 140.68 37.480 37.500 29.880 29.981 11.12 11.22
168 kg N ha -1 5.47 5.57 143.95 144.77 38.400 38.599 30.761 31.001 11.33 11.44
216 kg N ha -1 5.54 5.67 151.59 152.43 39.520 39.600 31.980 32.201 11.61 11.70
F-test * * * * * * * * * *
L.S.D. 5% 0.11 0.11 0.45 0.29 0.326 0.330 0.362 0.276 0.03 0.03
kg P2O5 ha -1
37 kg P2O5 ha -1 5.22 5.31 141.15 142.02 37.241 37.382 29.861 30.101 11.13 11.22
74 kg P2O5 ha -1 5.26 5.35 142.95 143.78 37.519 37.620 30.130 30.444 11.19 11.29
111 kg P2O5 ha -1 5.37 5.44 144.33 145.19 37.960 38.081 30.499 30.619 11.27 11.37
148 kg P2O5 ha -1 5.43 5.52 145.20 146.93 38.261 38.340 30.900 31.020 11.34 11.43
F-test * * * * * * * * * *
L.S.D. 5% 0.06 0.05 0.28 0.28 0.149 0.149 0.185 0.175 0.02 0.02
F-test N.S. N.S. * * N.S. N.S. N.S. N.S. N.S. N.S.

2.5.3. Total and Marketable Yield

Total bulb yield and marketable yield are the main economic parts of onion plant. The fertilizer rate which give higher amount of these parameters, is considered as optimum and recommended for onion production. But, the main problem in fertilizer rates is the need to cooperate between fertilizer cost and economic return by the onion marketable yield. Even if the yield is higher by adding a high level of NP fertilization if the cost benefit ratio shows negative it is not recommended for farmers [43, 67].

In some reports, the amount of N required to produce a higher amount t of marketable bulb yield is as low as 60 kg N ha-1 [68]. But others reported as a very high amount of nitrogen fertilization, 250 kg N ha-1 is required to produce higher marketable and total bulb yields [64, 69]. This could be due to variations in variety, soil and management conditions. But the report by Nasreen et al. [55], seems conclusive enough for all other reports. The researchers indicated that the increase in nitrogen fertilization from zero to 120 kg N ha-1 levels shows further increase in marketable yield of onion until it stops at increase stops at the highest rate which is 160 kg N ha-1. These trends indicate an increased photosynthetic area by addition of N which hugely acts to improve onion productivity through the formation of higher assimilates.

On the other hand, Boyhan and Torrance [70], showed that with an increase of nitrogen fertilizer from control to 250 kg N ha-1 the yield of onion increases dramatically and there was significant treatment × year interaction (Fig. 1). In contrast to nitrogen, as the rate of phosphorous increases from zero to 147 P2O5 ha-1 the effect of phosphorus P fertilizer rates did not onion bulb yield (Fig. 2).

In contrast to Boyhan and Torrance [70] report, many investigators reported, addition of P fertilizer enhances productivity of onion, hence increases marketable and unmarketable bub yield. It may be attributed to the enhancement of phosphorus on the plant growth and it’s reflected on the bulbs yield. This agrees with other researchers, which indicated increased bulb yield due to P application [63, 71].

Accordingly, Tekeste et al. [56] observed highest total bulb yield by rate of 103.5 kg N ha-1 and 138 kg P2O5 ha-1. In this report, the maximum bulb yield obtained by this combined rate is above the minimum total bulb yield obtained at control (zero) application of the two fertilizers by about 53%.

2.6. Impact of N and P on Quality of Onion

The effect of Nitrogen is quantified on average and observed that dry matter percentage of 13% has been reported with a variation from 11 to 14% in shallot [72]. They found that similar to other crops, increasing the rate of N resulted in an increased percentage of N in dry bulbs while percentage of minerals didn’t change. However, increasing the N rate beyond 200 kg N ha-1 decreased dry matter percentage in bulbs. Randle and Ketter [73] mentioned onion pungency develops when the enzyme alliinase hydrolyses the flavor precursors S-alk(en)yl cystein sulfoxides in tissue maceration. Within intact cells the enzyme alliinase is classified in the cell vacuole and flavor precursors exist in cytoplasm.

A reaction, therefore, only happens when onion tissues are damaged and the enzyme and substrate are combined together as organelles are disrupted. The reaction products are pyruvate, ammonia and the many volatile sulfur compounds characteristic of onion and shallot flavor and aroma [74]. It was also reported that pyruvic acid content is highly related to degree of onion pungency [75]. Pyruvic acid contents found a variable between 1 and 18 micromoles for different onion cultivars. Low pungency (0 to 3micromoles pyruvic acid per gram fresh onion), medium pungency (3 to 7 micromoles pyruvic acid per gram fresh onion) and high pungency (above 7 micromoles pyruvic acid per gram fresh onion) were used as a guide to pungency strength by the Sweet Onion industry in Georgia, USA [75].

Mineral N fertilization was found to alter both flavor, intensity and quality of onion [76]. While N levels varied from 0.22 to 0.97 g L-1 in hydroponic solutions, enzymatically formed pyruvate was enhanced linearly and decreased at highest N rates. With an increase of N rates, MCSO ((+)-S-methyl-L-cysteine sulphoxide), accordingly, 1-PECO 19 (trans-(+)-S-(1-propenyl)-L-cysteine sulphoxide) showed initial increase but then decreased with an increase in N rates. It is observed that PECO generally increased with an increase in N rates. It was known that changes in the ACSO (S-alk(en)yl-L-cysteine sulphoxide) concentrations and ratios affected sensory perceptions in onion flavor [25].

Only little information is available on P effects on quality attributes of onion. Woldetsadik [76] stated that on shallot (Allium ascalonicum) crop, application of P slightly increased number of soluble solids, dry matter percentage and pyruvate content of bulbs.

Onion mineral constituents mainly total nitrogen content of bulbs and sulphur content of bulbs were reported to be significantly influenced by Nitrogen fertilization. Increasing the level of N fertilizer increases the content of these minerals. Mineral constituents like Boron, Calcium and Magnesium also showed marked decrease due to increased application of N [25].

Fig. (1). Impact of Nitrogen fertilization on onion yield.
Source: Boyhan et al. 2002
Fig. (2). Yield response of Onion to phosphorus application.
Source: Boyhan et al. 2002

An increase in fertilization of N in onions recorded increased mineral constituents Calcium and potassium. An increase from zero level of N to higher rates significantly increase the content of these mineral elements. But, a very high level of N created a reduction in Ca content in onion bulbs. This could be a factor of higher concentration, which negates the impact of N on onion bulb [25, 77]. Supply of the phosphorus fertilizer in the chemical form and bio-fertilizer also reported increased on the level protein, N, P and K as well as TSS of onion plants [78].

2.7. Role of K in Onion Plant

Potassium is one of the macro mineral nutrients which affect onion plant growth, development, yield and quality. It is one of the most highly available minerals in most soils. Plants utilize the water soluble and exchangeable forms of potassium than other forms. In the soil the three forms of potassium present are exchangeable form (very small), unavailable form (90-98%), the slowly available from (1-10%) and readily available form (1-2%). The amount of available potassium must always be high enough to satisfy peak requirements if maximum crop yields are aimed at. However, maximum uses of the potassium reserves, the low flux rate of potassium from these reserves could sometimes limit yield [25, 79-83].

It has substantial impact energy systems, translocation and storage of plant assimilates, water potential in side cell of plants, and storage of assimilates [84, 85]. The main processes of plants are including photosynthesis, protein synthesis and enzyme activities [86].

Bulb formation and storage are factors which are mainly influenced by K fertilization. In adequate K fertilization the formation of bulb is positively influenced. It also influences resistance of potato plants to certain diseases. Storage quality of bulbs is enhanced in optimum K fertilization. K deficiency in onion is expressed by the appearance of brown tips in older leaves and poor bulb formation [87, 88].

2.8. Effect of K on Growth and Physiology of Onion

Potassium fertilization significantly affects the vegetative growth, development and physiological process of onion plant [89, 90]. Highest plant height was observed in response to K fertilization of 120 kg K2O ha-1. An increase of K level from control to 120 kg ha-1 allivates the height of plant by 7% [91]. Similar report indicated that highest height of onion plant 41 cm, was recorded by the addition of 120 kg ha-1 of K [92].

K fertilization also enhances the number of leaves, leaf diameter and leaf length of onion plant. In an experiment done by two forms of K fertilizers, potassium chloride and potassium nitrate, higher plant height, leaf fresh weight and dry weight were recorded by both forms of K [93]. Impact of potassium in increasing plant height and leaf diameter could be associated with its impact on physiological process mainly, photosynthesis, assimilate transport and water potential inside onion plant [94].

Other reports also indicated that plant height, number of leaves per plant and leaf length were reported to be highly influenced by application of NKS fertilization. Higher amount of those parameters was recorded while onion is fertilized by percentage ratio of 150% N + 75% K2O+ 200% S [95]. The other role of K on vegetative growth of onion is its positive influence in uptake of other minerals N and P. Therefore, in addition to its direct impact on plant growth and development, it also affects by its indirect influence in the uptake of other minerals [84, 86].

In reports by other researchers, maximum plant height of 41.8cm and the largest number of leaves per plant was recorded by K fertilization at a rate of 175 kg K ha-1 [96]. Reports verified that an increase in onion plant growth due to K fertilization is by its impact in physiological processes like photosynthesis, assimilate transport, and water potential of onion. Soils fertilized by adequate amount of K exhibited enhanced formation of chlorophyll, increased enzymatic activity for synthesis of protein and hasten the translocation of assimilates. It is also verified that in deficient supply of K onion plant is susceptible to diseases, stunting of growth and lower water use efficiency [97, 98].

2.9. Effect of K on Yield and Quality of Onion

Onion yield parameters mainly, bulb length, diameter of bulb, bulb fresh weight and bulb yield per hectare are significantly affected by mineral K deficiency and availability [85, 88]. In optimum supply of K; higher diameter, length, fresh weight of bulbs and maximum yield per hectare was recorded [96, 97]. In deficient amount of K, the yield parameters and quality of onion responded negatively [99, 100].

According to research reports, the highest yield parameters were recorded by addition of higher rates of K fertilizer and the lowest from control (zero level of K) [89, 90]. The increase in the level of K from control to 120 kg ha-1 increases the total yield of onion by about 16%. Similarly, this rate of K enhances marketable bulb yield by about 50% from control [91]. This could be associated with the impact of K in enhancing physiological processes in onion [99].

Soil application of K gives higher onion bulb yield and quality than foliar application. Soil application of K in form of KNO3 gave highest amount of total yield, bulb weight and TSS [46]. Proportional with impact of potassium on vegetative growth of onion, yield attributes mainly like neck thickness, bulb diameter, bulb length and marketable weight of bulbs are highly dependent on K fertilization. Research reports outlined that there is direct relationship between impact of K on vegetative growth and yield attributes [85, 92, 101, 102].

Other reports indicated that yield increment in onion due to K fertilization is associated with its significant impact on synthesis of carbohydrates and proteins. Higher production of such substrates impacts the production of large sized bulbs and higher marketable onions [86, 89, 97]. Quality of onion as expressed by TSS (total soluble solutes) is one of the parameters which significantly influenced by K fertilization. Application of K to the optimum level enhances the amount of TSS in onion plants [99]. Other parameters like Ascorbic acid content are also influenced by addition of K in which higher amount was recorded in fertilized lands than unfertilized ones [102].

Potassium fertilization in rate of 144 K2O units per fed created peak production of nutritional values in onion tissue (protein, N, P, K, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) [101]. Accordingly, dry matter percentage of onion also increased by addition of K [90]. Increasing levels of K from control 120 kg ha-1 encouraged bulbs to produces higher carbohydrates, protean and minerals which increase dry matter content [91].

CONCLUSION

Mineral fertilizers mainly nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous have significant a role on onion production. The effect of this mineral fertilizers is very high on plant growth, physiology, unmarketable bulb yield, total bulb yield and marketable yield of onion. From the different researches done in different parts of the world it can be concluded that:

  • The amount of N, K and P added to onion varies from place to place.
  • The optimum amount of fertilizer required for onion production varies from place to place. Therefore, place specific recommendation is needed
  • The variations in the amount of N, K and P added on onion for high productivity depends on soil condition, climatic factors, irrigation system and management systems
  • According to the research, it is almost difficult to produce onion without addition of N, K and P
  • Keeping in view of the impact of N, K and P fertilizers on soil, water and atmosphere, adequate method of application and effective use of fertilization should be devised
  • As the level of application of N, K and P increases from year to year it should have to be well understood its effect on productivity of the soil and the cost of production for small scale farmers.

Finally, for better use of N, K and P, the use of organic fertilizer in combination of this mineral fertilizers should be considered.

CONSENT FOR PUBLICATION

Not applicable

FUNDING

None

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The author declare no conflict of interest, financial or otherwise.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Declared none.

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