Effect of Growth Regulator (BENEFIT PZ) On Onion Productivity and Bulb Quality

Onion production in Mexico is about 45,000 ha annually. In Northern Sonora, Mexico the onion is important crop. Yield and quality is variable according to the technological capacity and economic status of the farmer. However, the technology adoption is increased during the last years for this reason, the yields and quality has been increased in the most crops. The objetive of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of growth regulator BENEFIT PZ on productivity and quality in onion. Three treatments were evaluated: One foliage application of 1.5 l.ha^-1, Two foliage applications of 0.75 l.ha^-1 and control (without application). This study was carried out in agricultural region of Magdalena de  Kino, Sonora Mexico during autumn-winter 2007-2008. The sowing date was Oct. 2, 2007 and trasplanting was Dec. 22, 2007. We used Stratus variety (white) and plant density of 370,000 plant.ha^-1 in furrows with four rows using drip irrigation systems. The harvest was May. 20, 2008. The results show did not differences among treatments, the better yield were obtained with the treatment of two aplications of 0.75 l.ha^-1 of BENEFIT PZ with 89.0 t.ha^-1  and bulb weight of 256 g. The lower yield was obtained the treatments of one application of 1.5 l.ha^-1 of BENEFIT PZ. With a yield of 83.3 t.ha^-1 and bulb weight of 254 g and finally the control treatment obtained a yield of 85.0 t.ha^-1 and bulb weight of 244 g.