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

Abstract

Abstract

Background and Objective. Bulb onion (Allium cepa L.) is a valuable vegetable crop widely cultivated and characterized by high nutritional and medicinal value. Under the conditions of 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. In this regard, the present study was aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of new complex biological preparations that improve the sowing qualities of onion seeds and enhance 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. The experiment was carried out 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. The results demonstrated that treating 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. In addition, an improvement in the phytosanitary condition of crops and a reduction in chemical and pesticide load by 1.5-2 times were observed.

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.

Keywords: bulb onion, biopriming, complex biological preparations, fungal diseases, morphological characteristics, yield, quality indicators.