PRODUCTIVE AND QUALITATIVE EVALUATION OF ONION CULTIVARS UNDER AGRO-CLIMATIC CONDITIONS OF FAISALABAD

Onion varieties are very specific in their photoperiod and vernalization requirements and therefore vary for yield, yield related traits and bolting in a specific agro-climate. therefore, performance of nineteen onion varieties for these traits was evaluated at vegetable research institute, faisalabad. the maximum bolting percentage was recorded in desi red (46.67%) that indicates less vernalization requirement of this variety while it was the minimum in faisal red and vrio-6 (13.33%). the cultivar phulkara produced larger size bulbs (73.22 mm diameter) as well as highest yield (21.90 t ha^-1) and bulb to neck diameter ratio (6.75). similarly, minimum weight loss during curing was observed in desi red (4.64%), pusa red (4.76%) and phulkara (4.83%), indicating higher dry matter contents while maximum weight loss (6%) was recorded in vrio-6. overall results revealed that both phulkara and desi red are excellent for processing while dark red for cooking purpose under agro-climatic conditions of faisalabad.