Biomass and nutrient accumulation in onion under organic fertilization and biofertilizers

Biomass production and nutrient uptake on onion (Allium cepa) is influenced by plant nutrition. The experiment was carried out to evaluate biomass production and nutrient uptake of onion under conventional and organic fertilization with the use of biofertilizers. For this purpose we conducted a field experiment in a Cambisol, in 2010, at Ituporanga, Santa Catarina state, Brazil. Four treatments were applied: conventional (T1) (planting application and sidedress with conventional mineral fertilizers and phytosanitary treatment with products recommended for the onion crop), and three others with fertilizer allowed by MAPA (Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply) for organic production systems, differentiated by sidedress application via soil with turkey manure based biofertilizer [Bioperu (T2)] or cattle manure based biofertilizer [Biobovino (T3)] or cattle manure based biofertilizer sprayed at 3% [Biobovino sprayed (T4)]. The cultivar used was Epagri 352-Bola Precoce. The sowing, transplant and harvest were performed in 03/05/10, 12/07/10 and 06/12/2010, respectively. During the cycle were evaluated in days after transplanting (DAT), the total extraction of nutrients from the shoot (at 48, 68 and 108 DAT) and bulbs (148 DAT) and in the same dates of the soil analysis. The growth (fresh biomass) and development (number of leaves) of the plants were measured at 30, 48, 68 and 108 DAT. The addition of nutrients via soil or foliar biofertilizer is not able to supply the needs for nutrients and was responsible for generating imbalances which decrease the growth and development of the crop.