Elemental Sulphur Content Of Onion Bulb ( Allium cepa L.) as affected by Cow-Dung, Nitrogen, and Weed interference in the Sokoto Rima Fadama

Abstract

Two field trials were conducted during the 2005/200 6 and 2006/2007 dry season under irrigation at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teach ing and Research Fadama Farm at Kwalkwallawa, Sokoto (Latitude 13 0 1 ’ N and Longitude 5 0 13’E, 350m above sea level) to study the effect of cow-dung, nitrogen and weed interference on the elemental sulphur content of onion (Allium cepa L.). The treatments consisted of three levels of cow-dung (0, 15 and 30 t/ha), three levels of nitrogen (0, 50 and 75 kg/ha) and three weeding reg imes (weedy check, 4 and 6 weeks after transplanting) laid out in a randomized Complete Bl ock Design (RCBD) with three replications. The elemental sulphur content (mg/g) of the onion bulb, was studied. The result showed significant (P < 0.05) effect of cow-dung, nitrogen and weed interfe rence on the elemental sulphur content of onion. Highest level of sulphur content were obtained with 15 t/ha cow-dung, 75 kg/ha nitrogen and 4 WAT weeding regime. Based on the finding of this study, it could be concluded that for optimum onion production in the Sokoto Rima Fadama, a combination of 15 t/ha cow-dung, 75 kg/ha nitrogen coupled with the 4 WAT weeding regime is the most s uitable.