Effect of Bio-Organic Alternatives in the Agronomic Response of Onion on Los Angeles Farm

Context: Onion (Allium cepa L.) is an edible bulb that ranks, as a green vegetable, third in terms of harvested area. In general terms, world production of this crop is made intensively, with a broad application of agrochemicals, which threatens agricultural sustainability, health, and protection of the environment.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of bio-organic alternatives in the agronomic response of onion.

Methods: A randomized block experimental design with seven treatments was used (absolute control and samples with natural liquid humus, improved liquid humus, fortified liquid humus, fortified liquid humus, plus Phosphoric inducer BayFolan Forte, FitoMas E), and four repetitions. The treatments were made every seven days, starting seven days after the plantation of bulbs. Plant height, pseudostem thickness, leaf number, bulb diameter, and crop yield were the indicators evaluated. The main economic indicators of each treatment were determined. Costs, income, profit, and economic effect were calculated.

Results: The results show the positive effect of the morphophysiological and yield indicators related to the application of different bio-organic alternatives. The study produced greater profits than the control.

Conclusions: The application of bio-organic alternatives showed a positive effect on the morphophysiological and yield indicators evaluated. The fortified liquid humus plus the phosphoric inducer showed the best results, producing the highest profits in the financial assessment.