Performance of onion under rainfed environment in the ganges- kobadak irrigation project area in bangladesh

Abstract

Abstract : Field studies were conducted in the Ganges-Kobadak (G-K) irrigation project, Kushtia, Bangladesh in 1990-91 and 1991-92 rabi seasons (November-March) to study the effect of residual soil moisture and rainfall on the performance of onion and to quantify water use for onion cultivation. Farmers keep most of their land fallow in dry season. After seeing the results of demonstration of non-rice crop cultivation (especially onion) using residual soil moisture, the farmers became interested for growing onion in a large scale. In 1990, average yields of onion from the service areas of the tertiary canals T3/S9K, T6/S9K and T2/S1 IK were 10033, 7807 and 7800 kg/ha, respectively. Average yields of on ion from T3/S9K and T6/S9K areas were 6400 and 8068 kg/ha, respectively in 1991 rabi season. Farmers used large quantity of manure but low amounts of INPK fertilizer in their plots. In all locations, the total available soil water during the growing seasons was higher than the estimated crop water requirement. Average productivity of water use in 1990-91 rabi season from T3/S9K, T6/S9K and T2/SI1K canal areas were 47.8, 31.8 and 32.6 kg/ha-mm respectively. From T3/S9K and T6/S9K canal areas, water productivity in 1991-92 rabi season were 33.5 and 40.1 kg/ha-mm respectively. Residual soil moisture and dry season rainfall was sufficient for onion cultivation. Consequently, irrigation is not necessary for optimum yield of onion in G-K project area during the rabi season.