Dry matter accumulation and nutrient uptake patterns of onion seed crop

Abstract

Dry matter accumulation and nutrient uptake patterns of crops must be determined to optimize fertilizer scheduling. This study assesses the dry matter accumulation and nutrient uptake patterns of onion seed crop. Plant samples were collected between 0 and 120?days after planting, and their nutrient content was analyzed to determine the dry matter accumulation and nutrient uptake patterns. The quantity and period of nutrient uptake and the mobility of nutrients within the plant parts varied for different nutrients. The absorption of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) was the highest during vegetative stage, whereas phosphorus (P) and sulfur (S) uptake was the highest during flower initiation stage. N, P, K, and S, which had accumulated in the vegetative parts, moved from the senesced vegetative parts to the inflorescence during the reproductive stages owing to their high mobility in the phloem. The onion plants continued to absorb zinc, copper, manganese, and iron throughout their growth owing to the immobility of these elements in plant system. The result of this study may facilitate efficient scheduling of fertilizer application to increase nutrient uptake and yield.