Evaluation of Yield Differences among Three Varieties of Bunching Onion under the Growth Conditions of Balkh Province

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the differences among three varieties of green onion in terms of growth characteristics and performance under the climatic conditions of Balkh province. The varieties assessed included "Pakistani," "Nicheh Sefid," and "Kashtzar," arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications at the Agricultural Faculty Research Farm. During the study, six key parameters were measured and compared: plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf length, underground stem diameter, length of the white stem portion, and fresh plant weight. The results revealed significant differences among the evaluated varieties in most of the measured traits. The Pakistani variety outperformed others, especially in fresh plant weight and underground stem diameter. The Nicheh Sefid variety also showed acceptable performance in traits such as number of leaves and leaf length, while the Kashtzar variety was relatively weaker in some vegetative growth traits compared to the other two.  Based on the findings, the climatic and soil conditions of Balkh province show relative compatibility with the Pakistani variety, making it a more suitable option for cultivation in the region. Overall, this study can assist farmers and agricultural institutions in selecting appropriate green onion varieties to enhance productivity and yield. Further studies are recommended to explore the effects of nutritional and irrigation management on these varieties.Therefore, it is suggested that farmers prioritize the cultivation of the Pakistani green onion variety to not only increase their yield but also better serve their community and country.