<div>Background: &ldquo;Lasona&rdquo; (Allium cepa var. aggregatum G. Don) is a multi-bulb cultivar commonly grown in the Northern Philippines as an annual crop. This, together with bulb onion, are the two main types of onions produced in the country, but the majority of onions exported from the Philippines are the latter. However, despite its importance to the human diet, no complete chloroplast genome sequence has been reported to date. Hence, the assembled plastome can be utilized as a resource for distinguishing the taxon and elucidating its evolutionary relationship with other Allium species, particularly within the aggregatum group. 
 
Methods: Using Illumina sequencing data, we assembled and annotated the complete chloroplast genome of A. cepa var. aggregatum accession from the germplasm collection of the Institute of Crop Science, University of the Philippines, Los Ba&ntilde;os, Laguna. Moreover, the morphology of the genotyped accession was characterized to ensure that the genome assembled is attributed to the correct taxon. The voucher specimen (ICROPS 1374) was deposited at the Philippine Herbarium of Cultivated Plants of the Institute of Crop Science. 
 
Result: The complete chloroplast (cp) genome had a sequence length of 153,587-bp long, with 36.8% overall GC content. A total of 126 functional genes were found, comprising 80 mRNA genes, 38 tRNA genes and 8 rRNA genes. We annotated 43 genes that code for photosynthesis, 29 genes for self-replication and 6 other genes for other functions. This is the first complete chloroplast genome of Allium cepa var. aggregatum. The phylogenetic analysis of the assembled genome, together with 21 other Allium accessions and 12 other Amaryllidaceae species, revealed that the A. cepa accessions formed a distinct clade despite infraspecific plastome variations. Comparison among earlier published plastomes of A. cepa showed that the assembled A. cepa var. aggregatum chloroplast genome was distinct in sequence length and composition. The observed differences could be utilized to further elucidate differences needed for varietal identification. 
&nbsp;</div>

The Complete Chloroplast Genome of &ldquo;Lasona&rdquo; (Allium cepa var. Aggregatum G. Don), an Important Indigenous Vegetable in the Northern Philippines

Background: Toxocariasis is one of the most significant infectious disease that is caused by T.canis which primarily infect dogs. Dogs become infected by consuming contaminated food that contains either eggs or larvae (L2) encysted in the paratenic hosts. These eggs can resist harsh conditions. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: Investigating the effects of onions (Allium cepa) ethanol extracts at varying concentrations (5, 10, 20, 30 and 50 mg/ml) for periods of time (24 and 48 hours) against the unembryonated T. canis eggs growth in vitro was aimed of this study. The positive control group was Drontal&reg; Plus, while the negative control was water. 
&nbsp; 
Result: Upon microscopic, the results indicated that eggs of T. canis treated with A. cepa extract in vitro are sensitive to the extract at different doses and that their activities are time- and concentration-dependent. The highest was observed at dosages of 30 and 50 mg/ml for 24 and 48 hrs. respectively, where the efficacy was 100%. At doses of 20 mg/ml, the extract shows 98.8 and 100% ovicidal efficiency for 24 and 48 hrs. respectively. When compared to the Drontal&reg; Plus group and water group, which were 100 and 11.8%, respectively, the treated T. canis eggs with doses of 5 and 10 mg/ml of A. cepa extract demonstrated ovicidal activity at 24 and 48 hrs., by 88.4, 93.9, 94.3 and 98.6%, respectively.

In vitro Evaluation of Allium cepa Ethanol Extract in Inhibiting the Growth of Toxocara canis Eggs

<div style="text-align: justify;">To investigate the effect of planting methods and irrigation levels on irrigation water productivity and onion (Allium cepa L.) yield, a field experiment was conducted on sandy loam soil at the Research Farm of Department of Soil Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during rabi 2011-12. Three planting methods tested include drip irrigated beds, furrow irrigated beds and flat flood irrigation. In drip irrigated beds and furrow irrigated beds three onion rows were planted on 55 cm wide beds at a spacing of 15 cm from row to row. Three levels of irrigation water were tested i.e. IW/PAN-E ratio of 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 in drip irrigated onions and 1.2, 1.6 and 2.0 in both bed furrow and flat flood methods of irrigation. The results of the experiment indicated that in drip irrigated beds by applying same quantity and 50 per cent of water as of flat flood irrigation, the yield was increased by 43 and 25 per cent, respectively. Irrespective of irrigation levels, highest onion yield (32.5 t ha-1) was recorded under drip irrigated beds followed by furrow irrigated beds (28.5 t ha-1) and least under flat flood irrigation method (25.0 t ha-1). The onion yield increases with the increase in irrigation level in all the planting methods. The highest irrigation water productivity was observed under drip irrigated beds (1.26 t ha-1 cm) followed by furrow irrigated beds (0.84 t ha-1 cm) and least under flat flood irrigation (0.48 t ha-1 cm) with equivalent IW/PAN-E ratios. Bigger size onions (40 mm and 50 mm) were observed under drip irrigated beds followed by furrow irrigated beds and smallest size bulbs under flat flood method of irrigation. The results revealed that drip irrigation could successfully be used for onion production with significant water saving and higher production. &nbsp;</div>

Effect of planting methods and irrigation levels on water productivity of onion (Allium cepa L.)

<div>Background: Onion (Allium cepa L.) is a major bulbous vegetable as well as condiment of family Alliaceae grown in India, originated in Iran and Pakistan. Seed pelleting is a mechanism of applying various materials to the seed that can enhance the seed quality with respect to physiological, physical and health attributes. Seed deterioration during storage is inevitable process; however seed pelleting can reduce the rate of deterioration. The leaf powders possess antioxidant, fungicidal and insecticidal properties that helps in maintaining the seed quality during storage.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The present investigation was carried out in the laboratory of Department of Seed Science and Technology, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP) during the seasons of 2016-17 and 2017-18. This experiment comprised of pelleted seeds with different botanicals carried out to determine the effect of seed pelleting and storage potential of pelleted seeds.&nbsp; 
 
Result: This experiment comprised of pelleted seeds with different botanicals. In all the treatments gum Arabica (5%) was used as the adhesive except control. The pelleted seeds with different material were stored at ambient conditions for nine months. Highest germination (81.75%), seedling length (11.20 cm), seedling dry weight (1.82 g), seedling vigour index- length (920.33), seedling vigour index- mass (148.90) and speed of germination (26.57) were observed in onion seeds pelleted with Azadirechta indica leaf powder + clay and Melia azadirechta leaf powder + clay. Among the storage periods, fresh pelleted seed (0 month) showed maximum values with respect to germination (86.50%), seedling length (13.38 cm), seedling dry weight (2.02 g), seedling vigour index- length (1154.50), seedling vigour index- mass (173.52) and speed of germination (29.04). From the present studies, it can be concluded that onion seeds pelleted with Azadirechta indica leaf powder + clay and Melia azadirechta leaf powder + clay showed significant effects for enhancing seed quality during storage.</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>Influence of Botanical Seed Pelleting on Storability of Onion (Allium cepa L.)</div>

<div>Background: Maharashtra ranks first in onion (Allium cepa L.) production with a share of 28.32%. However, the productivity of onion is low as compared to other countries. In order to enhance onion productivity, new and innovative agri-inputs are being tried continuously like providing humic acid, fulvic acid, plant growth regulators (PGR), auxin/amino acid spray, seaweed extract, biofertilizers, sulphur application etc. PGRs are considered to be one of the novel inputs that can help in increasing the productivity of onion in India economically. Plant growth regulators are considered as a new generation of agrochemicals when added in small amounts, modify the growth of the plants usually by stimulation or modifying one part of natural growth regulatory system, thereby increasing the crop yield. Most of the research data available is based on biochemical, seaweeds etc. Almost negligible literature is available pertaining to a PGR made with formulation of Seaweed extract and Protein Hydrolysate. An attempt has been made in this research work to evaluate the effect of PGR formulated with seaweed extract and Protein Hydrolysate as major constituents on onion bulb yield through both foliar and drenching application. 
 
Methods: A field experiment for evaluating the effect of plant growth regulator (PGR) formulated by Research and Development Department, M/s Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers Limited was conducted at Chilli and Vegetable Research Farm, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola (MH). During the experiment, the effect of different concentration of PGR viz., 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6% and 0.8% and 1.0%, 1.2%, 1.4% and 1.6% through foliar and drenching application, respectively were studied. 
 
Result: Statistically, significant results of plant growth regulator application on vegetative growth, yield and qualitative characters of onion crop were observed. Significantly, maximum bulb yield was observed in the treatment PGR @ 0.6% (255.41 kg/ha) through foliar application which is at par with the treatment PGR @ 1.4% (246.67 kg/ha) through soil drenching along with RDF. According to the results, the suitable PGR dose for studied characters of onion under prevailing conditions was 0.6% foliar spray and 1.4% soil drenching along with recommended dose of fertilizers.</div>

​Response of Plant Growth Regulator on Bulb Yield of Onion (Allium cepa L.)

Background: Scanty availability of irrigation water in the region is one of the major limitations in cultivation of horticultural crops. Land configurations and plastic mulching has been found to be an effective technique for increasing the profitability of bulb crops. The objective of this study was to find the effect of water regimes, land configuration and mulching on growth, yield and water use efficiency of onion (Allium cepa L.) under the soil and agro climatic conditions of Western Rajasthan. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: The experiment was conducted at Instructional farm, Department of Horticulture, AU, Jodhpur during rabi season of 2020-21 and 2021-22. There were three factors studied in this experiment one major factor viz., A) Water regimes include three levels (I1-1.0 IW/CPE, I2-0.8 IW/CPE and I3-0.6 IW/CPE ratio) and two sub factors viz., A) Land configuration include two levels (B1- Flat bed configuration and B2- Raised bed configuration) and B) Mulching include four levels (M1- No-mulch, M2- Black mulch, M3- Silver-black mulch and M4- White-black mulch). Overall there were twenty four treatment combinations. 
&nbsp; 
Result: On the basis of pooled analysis, the dry matter content, double bulb, leaf chlorophyll content, NPK and S content were significantly affected by different water regimes, land configurations and mulch types.

Quality and Nutrient Uptake of Onion (Allium cepa L.) as Influenced by Water Regimes, Land Configurations and Mulching&nbsp;&nbsp;

A field experiment was conducted to determine &nbsp;the effect of foliar application of micronutrients on growth and yield of onion( Allium cepa L.) cv. Agri found dark red during kharif season of 2014-2015 at Horticulture Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, R.A.K. College of Agriculture, Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Sehore (M.P.). The experiment was laid out in randomized completely block design with three replications. The treatments consists of foliar sprays of 4 micronutrients , viz., Zn, Mn, B and Cu alone and in combination T1&ndash;Zn (0.5%), T2 &nbsp;-Mn (1.0%), T3 &nbsp;-B (0.25%), &nbsp;T4 &nbsp;-Cu(1.0%), T5 &nbsp;-Zn + Mn &nbsp;(0.5 + 1.0%), T6 -Zn + B( 0.5 + 0.25%), T7 -Zn + Cu (0.5 + 1.0%), T8 -Zn+ Mn+ B+ Cu (0.5 + 1.0 + 0.25 + 1.0%), T9 &ndash;Control. &nbsp;Treatment T3 -B (0.25%) was recorded the maximum 394.86 q ha-1 &nbsp;bulb yield followed by T8- Zn+ Mn+ B+ Cu (0.5 + 1.0 + 0.25 + 1.0%) 333.32 q ha-1. Highest net return of Rs 3,45,355 ha-1 with benefit cost ratio 7.98 was obtained in treatment T3 &nbsp;-B (0.25%).

Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on growth and yield of onion (Allium cepa L.) c.v. Agri found dark red

<div style="text-align: justify;">The present investigation was conducted at the Research Farm, Khalsa College, Amritsar during rabi season of 2017-18 in order to evaluate the impact of organic manures (FYM, Vermicompost, Poultry manure) and inorganic fertilizers on soil physico-chemical properties and available nutrient status in soil after onion (Allium cepa L.) harvest. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with twelve treatments and replicated thrice. It was observed that significant variation in organic carbon, bulk density, available macro (N, P, K and S) and micro (Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) nutrients status was noticed when organic manures were integrated with inorganic fertilizers as compared to sole use of inorganic fertilizers and initial status of soil. The maximum available nutrient status was recorded with treatment T12 {25% RDNF + 25% N (FYM) + 25% N (VC) + 25% N (PM)} whereas lowest was recorded with treatment T1 (control). The soil properties such as pH, EC, particle density and porosity did not showed any significant difference.</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">Physico-Chemical Properties of Soil as Influenced by Integrated Nutrient Management in Onion (Allium cepa L.) Crop</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">Background: Onion (Allium cepa L.) is a major bulbous vegetable as well as condiment of family Alliaceae grown in India, originated in Iran and Pakistan. Seed pelleting is a mechanism of applying various materials to the seed that can enhance the seed quality with respect to physiological, physical and health attributes. Seed pelleting make it easy to handle small and irregular shaped seeds. Methods: The present investigation was conducted in the field of Department of Seed Science and Technology, Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan during seasons of 2016-17 and 2017-18.&nbsp; Result: This experiment comprised of pelleted seeds with different botanicals carried out to determine the effect of sowing dates and seed pelleting and their interactions on plant growth, yield and quality of bulb crop. All the factors in the experiment as well as their interactions showed significant influence on plant growth, yield and yield contributing characters in onion. The seeds pelleted with Azadirechta indica leaf powder + clay and Melia azedarach &nbsp;leaf powder + clay sown directly showed maximum values w.r.t. emergence (91.50 %), plant height at 60 days after sowing (35.35 cm), average leaf length (38.43cm), number of leaves per plant (8.67), number of days to harvesting (233.49),&nbsp;polar diameter (46.72 mm), equatorial diameter (57.77 mm), bulb size index (2699.74 ), neck thickness (12.12 mm), number of bulb per plot (89.00) average bulb weight (75.24 g), bulb yield (6.67 kg per plot or 400.01 q per ha), plant height before neck fall stage (58.55 cm). From the present studies, it can be concluded that onion seeds pelleted with Azadirechta indica leaf powder + clay and Melia azedarach leaf powder + clay showed significant effects for enhancing bulb quality, growth, quality and yield of bulb crop raised through direct seeding.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Effect of Sowing Dates and Botanical Seed Pelleting on Plant Growth, Bulb Yield and Quality of Onion (Allium cepa L.)</div>

Background: In Ethiopia, onion (Allium Cepa L.) is a major vegetable crop. However, due to erratic cultivation, rising mineral fertilizer prices and inadequate soil fertility management, its productivity is declining. Integrated nutrient management is a cost-effective approach to fertilizing soil. If used properly, the combination of vermicomposting with mineral fertilizers is one of the most promising options. Nonetheless, in the study areas, the appropriate application rate of vermicompost and NPSZn fertilizer on onion production has not been well examined. 
 
Methods: A field experiment was conducted in the irrigated soil conditions of Kilte-Awulaelo and Raya Azobo districts. The study used a randomized complete block design with three replications and twelve experimental treatments (4.5, 3 and 1.5 t ha-1&nbsp;vermicompost rates combined with NPSZn 75, 50 and 25 kg ha-1).&nbsp; Full recommended 6 t ha-1&nbsp;vermicompost, 100 kg ha-1&nbsp;NPSZn fertilizer and absolute control were used. The collected agronomic data were subjected to ANOVA using SAS statistical software (SAS 9.0) and mean separation was done using LSD. 
 
Result: Most of the measured onion growth and yield parameters were significantly affected by the joint application of vermicompost and NPSZn. It varies among districts. Maximum bulb yields of 51.2 t ha-1&nbsp;in Kilte-Awulaelo and 42.5 t ha-1&nbsp;in Raya Azobo district were obtained from the application of 4.5 t ha-1&nbsp;vermicompost with 50 kg ha-1&nbsp;NPSZn and 4.5 t ha-1&nbsp;vermicompost with 75 kg ha-1&nbsp;NPSZn respectively. The combined application of vermicompost with NPSZn fertilizer enhanced onion growth and yield.

Response of Onion (Allium cepa L.) Bulb to the Combined Effect of Vermicompost and Mineral Fertilizer under Irrigated Soil Condition in Raya Azobo and Kilte-Awulaelo Districts South and Eastern Tigray, Ethiopia