Effect of Vermicompost and Biofertilizers on Growth, Yield and Quality of Onion (Allium cepa L.)

A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2024–25 at the Research Farm, Mewar University, Gangrar (Rajasthan), to evaluate the effect of vermicompost and biofertilizers on growth, yield, and quality of onion (Allium cepa L.), using the cultivar ‘Udaipur-102’. The experiment employed a factorial randomized block design comprising four levels of vermicompost (0, 2, 4, and 6 t/ha) and four biofertilizer treatments (control, Azotobacter @ 10 g/kg seed, Pseudomonas @ 10 g/kg seed, and a combination of both), totaling 16 treatment combinations replicated thrice. Results indicated that the combined application of vermicompost at 6 t/ha and biofertilizers (Azotobacter + Pseudomonas) significantly enhanced growth parameters, with maximum plant height (48.96 cm), number of leaves per plant (11.18), leaf length (52.08 cm), and chlorophyll content (1.61). Yield attributes also showed significant improvement under this treatment, including polar diameter (6.69 cm), equatorial diameter (7.33 cm), neck thickness (1.68 cm), average bulb weight (68.10 g), and marketable yield (25.81 t/ha). Quality parameters such as total soluble solids (14.42 °Brix), nitrogen (1.53%), phosphorus (0.23%), and potassium (2.88%) content were also highest in this treatment. Among all treatments, the combination of V4 (vermicompost 6 t/ha) and B4 (Azotobacter + Pseudomonas) consistently outperformed others across growth, yield, and quality indicators. These findings underscore the potential of integrated organic nutrient management to improve onion productivity and quality under sustainable agricultural practices.