Effect of New Complex Biological Preparations on the Sowing Qualities of Onion (Allium cepa L.) Seeds and Bulb Productivity

Abstract

Abstract

Background and Aim. Bulb onion (Allium cepa L.) is an economically important vegetable crop widely cultivated and valued for its nutritional and medicinal properties. In Kazakhstan, the reduction in onion yield compared to the potential of cultivated varieties is associated with the rapid loss of seed viability during storage, as well as the formation of weak and sparse plants with low resistance to
abiotic and biotic stresses. Therefore, the present study was aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of novel complex biological preparations in improving the sowing qualities of onion seeds and enhancing crop productivity.
Materials and Methods. The research was conducted in the south-east of Kazakhstan, in the foothill zone of the northern slope of the Trans-Ili Alatau, at the «Kainar» regional branch of the Kazakh Research Institute of Fruit and Vegetable Growing. Experiments were performed on the onion cultivar Tabys under both open-field and laboratory conditions, including five treatments (T1-T5)
with four replications. The study assessed laboratory germination, germination energy, phytosanitary status, biometric parameters of plants, yield, and product quality. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA at a significance level of p ≤ 0.05.
Results. Treatment of onion seeds with complex biological preparations significantly increased germination and ensured uniform and rapid seedling emergence. This, in turn, contributed to the formation of plants with enhanced resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses and well-developed vegetative biomass. The intensive development of vegetative and generative organs led to increased crop
productivity and improved biochemical characteristics of bulbs. Furthermore, the treatments improved the phytosanitary condition of crops and reduced the need for chemical and pesticide applications by 1.5– fold 2.
Conclusion. Seed sowing quality plays a crucial role in onion production, as it is one of the main factors determining future yield. The obtained results are novel and indicate that biopriming of onion seeds can improve their germination and significantly increase crop productivity.