Optimizing Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilization for Improved Onion (Allium cepa L.) Growth and Yield in Bangladesh
Mahfuz-Al Masud1, Md Kawser Ali2*, Jafor Raihan3, Mirza Kanij Ferdows3, Md Moniruzzaman4, Azmal Hossain5, Md Asaduzzaman6
Applied Agriculture Sciences 3(1) 1-9 https://doi.org/10.25163/agriculture.3110058
Submitted: 27 November 2025 Revised: 08 February 2025 Published: 09 February 2025
Abstract
Background: Onion (Allium cepa L.) is a crucial crop in Bangladesh, serving as both a vegetable and spice, but the country faces a significant onion production gap. This study investigates the effects of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizers on onion growth and yield to optimize agricultural practices. Objective: To evaluate the individual and combined effects of different doses of nitrogen and phosphorus on onion growth and yield in Bangladesh. Methods: A field experiment was conducted in Niamatpur, Naogaon, Bangladesh, using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 16 treatment combinations of N (0, 50, 70, 90 kg/ha) and P (0, 40, 60, 80 kg/ha), replicated three times. The Taherpuri variety of onion was used. Growth and yield parameters, including plant height, number of leaves, bulb size, and yield per hectare, were recorded. Results: Nitrogen and phosphorus significantly impacted plant growth and bulb yield. The highest plant height (39.14 cm), leaf number (7.22), bulb length (4.08 cm), and bulb diameter (4.38 cm) were observed with 90 kg N/ha and 80 kg P/ha. The highest fresh bulb weight (21.36 g) and yield (21.36 t/ha) were recorded with 70 kg N/ha and 80 kg P/ha. These treatments outperformed the control, which showed the lowest values across parameters. Conclusion: The combined application of 70 kg N/ha and 80 kg P/ha significantly improved onion growth and yield in Bangladesh, offering a promising approach to enhancing production and reducing the supply-demand gap. Further studies could explore the long-term sustainability and economic viability of these fertilizer applications.
Keywords: Onion, nitrogen, phosphorus, fertilizer, growth, yield, Bangladesh, agriculture, nutrient management.
References
Abdissa, Y., T. Tekalign and L.M. Pant. 2011. Growth, bulb yield and quality of onion (Allium cepa L.) as influenced by nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization on vertisol I. growth attributes, biomass production and bulb yield, KAfrican J. Agril. Res., 6(14), pp. 3252-3258.
BBS. 2006. Monthly Statistical Bulletin-Bangladesh, June, 2006. Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, Statistics Division, Ministry of Planning, Govt. of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Dhaka. p.54.
BBS. 2010, Year Book of Agricultural Statistics of Bangladesh. Bangladesh Bureau of statistics, Statistics Division, Ministry of Planning, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, p.119.
BBS. 2011. Yearbook of Agricultural Statistics of Bangladesh 2011, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, Ministry of Planning, Govt. of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, (23rd ed.). p.106.
Brewester, J.L. 1994. Onions and other vegetable Alliums. CAB International, Wallingford, UK. Bulb yield and quality of "Pusa Red" onion (Allium cepa L.). Indian J. Agric. Sci., 72(1): 23-25.
Bungard, R.A., A. Wingler, J.D. Morton and M. Andrews. 1999. Ammonium can stimulate nitrate and nitrite reductase in the absence of nitrate in Clematis vitalba. Plant Cell Environ., 22: 859-866.
Hossain, A.K.M.A. and J. Islam. 1994. Status of Allium production in Bangladesh. Acta Hort., 358:33-36.
Mandira, C. and E.B. Khan. 2003. Effect of nitrogen and potassium on growth and yield and yield attributes of onion. ICAR- Research conference, India, 14(1-2):9-11.
Marschner, H. 1995. Mineral Nutrition of Higher Plants, 2nd edn., Academic Press, London, UK. Arab-Universities J. Agric. Sci., 13(3): 863-875.
Rai, M.M. 1981. Principles of Soil Science. Mac Millan India Limited, Calcutta, pp. 179-182.
Singh, J. and B.S. Dhankar. 1988. Effect of nitrogen, potassium and zinc on growth, yield and quality of onion. Indian Agric., 32(3): 163-170
Steward, F.C. 1963. Plant Physiology.Vol. III. Academic Press, New York. pp. 183-190.
Yasir Wardad. 2012. Onion output target fixed at 1.96 million tons this fiscal to achieve self-sufficiency. The Financial Express, 20(157).
View Dimensions
View Altmetric
Save
Citation
View
Share