Evaluación de diferentes sustratos comerciales sobre la viabilidad de semillas de cebolla (Allium cepa L.)

Abstract

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is among the most consumed vegetables worldwide and popular for its extensive health benefits, however, some factors such as lack of investments to improve cultivation and irrigation methods have caused discouragement in production. Therefore, among the strategies to be evaluated are studies on seed production that allow improving crop’s production and productivity. In this study, the effect of different commercial substrates (Terracult, Pindstrup Plus and Floragard) on the viability of Burguesa variety onion seeds was evaluated and then compared with a conventional substrate used as control treatment. In each substrate, the percentage and speed of germination were evaluated for 5 days, in addition root length, bulb diameter, fresh and dry weight of bulb were evaluated at 15 and 30 days after emergence. According to the results, both the germination percentage and the germination speed were affected by the type of substrate, being superior to the control treatment in all types of substrates. Additionally, root length and bulb diameter (pseudostem) and fresh and dry weight of seedling were significantly higher in seedlings obtained from commercial substrates. All substrates shown to have a positive effect on the production of onion seedlings, however, field studies are required to validate the results obtained in the present investigation.