Yield and storage of onion (Allium cepa L.) submitted to nitrogen and potassium levels through fertirrigation in summer planting

This study was carried out from August 2001 to March 2002 to evaluate the influence of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) levels through fertirrigation on yield and post-harvest storage of onion bulbs. Cultivar Alfa Tropical was used in a randomized complete block design, in a 4 x 3 factorial arrangement, with four nitrogen levels (0, 60, 120, and 180 kg/ha) and three potassium levels (0, 90, and 180 kg/ha K2O) with three replications. The commercial yield showed linear effect in the doses of 90 kg/ha K2O and quadratic effect in the absence of potassium fertilization, with maximum yield with the level of 96.5 kg/ha nitrogen and minimum yield with the level of 136.5 kg/ha nitrogen with the dose of 180 kg/ha K2O. The increment of the levels of N reduced the non-commercial yield (culls) in a linear way. Linear effects were observed with the increase of N doses for bulb fresh mass. There were no significant effects at 40 days of curing for mass loss, however, at 80 days of curing, significant effect was evidenced with the application of N and K.