Screening of Onion (Allium cepa L.) Genotypes for High Yield Potential in Mid Hills Region of Himachal Pradesh

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is one of the most important bulbous vegetable crops, belongs to the family Amaryllidaceae. Thirty genotypes were taken under study. Sufficient significant variation was observed among all the genotypes for all the characters under study. The maximum plant height was seen in the genotype UHF-ONI-13 (69.08 cm) while, minimum in the genotype UHF-ONI-7 (34.15 cm). Highest polar diameter and equatorial were represented by the genotype UHF-ONI-13 (5.59 cm) and Bhima Kiran (5.99 cm), respectively. There were nine genotypes which exhibited globular shape, three showed torpedo shape and eighteen showed flat shape. The majority, comprising 18 genotypes, exhibited a dark red color for their bulb skinThe genotype recorded to have earliest 50 per cent neck fall was UHF-ONI-4 (129.67 days). Maximum bulb weight was recorded by the genotype UHF-ONI-13 (82.95 g). Bulb yield per plot and per hectare was observed maximum in UHF-ONI-13 (8.19 kg and 436.86 q). UHF-ONI-13, UHF-ONI-15 and UHF-ONI-16 performed better than other genotypes for yield and other imperative horticultural characters. Thus, these genotypes can be used for further breeding improvement programmes of onion for different traits.