Performance Evaluation and Shelf Life of Onion Varieties in Western Tigray, Ethiopia

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is an important underground vegetable bulb crop of tropical and subtropical part of the world. The experiment was carried out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications and conducted during 2016 to 2018 under irrigation condition at three testing sites. The experiment was designed to select high yielding and good shelf life varieties with the following specific objectives (1) to evaluate and select high yielding onion varieties, (2) to select the adaptable onion varieties and (3) to evaluate and select onion varieties having long shelf life. The study result showed that different variations were observed among the varieties; (29.82%) by environments, (21.94%) Genotype x Environment Interaction and genotypes (6.6. The high environmental variations and differential response of genotypes to the variable environments leading to inconsistency ranking of genotypes across years and locations. The highest yield was obtained  from Bombey red (440.3 kgha-1), followed by Nafis(395 kgha-1), Shendi(391 kgha-1), Nasik red(373 kgha-1) and Adama red(387 kgha-1) respectively. The highest %yield loss recorded from Adama red (28.30%) followed by Nafis (23.23%), Nasik red (22.90) Bombey red (22.48%) and Shendi (5.67%) respectively. Even though, the stability ranking of the varieties were varied among the stability parameters.  Nafis and Bombey red were found the most stable. While Nasik red, Adama red and Shendi unstable across years and locations.  From each of the onion varieties 5 kg was stored for three months and shelf life data recorded and analyzed using R software. Based on the study Shendi can store more than six months without any problem will be recommended and promoted for commercial production. Therefore, the stable varieties recommended and promoted for wider areas.