Water management and irrigation for bulb onion (Allium cepa L.) growth and development in the Papua New Guinea Highlands

  • Rodney Aku National Agriculture Research Institute, Aiyura Highlands Regional Centre, EHP, Papua New Guinea
  • Paul Kristiansen School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
  • Michael Coleman School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
Keywords: water requirements, rainfall, drought, sprinkers, mulch, agronomic constraints

Abstract

Water is crucial for nutrient intake, transportation, temperature regulation, and photosynthesis in bulb onion (Allium cepa L.) growth and development. Water scarcity, caused by climate variability and particularly during prolonged dry periods, has proved to be an obstacle to cultivating bulb onions in the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Highlands. Farmers have a limited grasp of the interdependence of soil, water, and plants. They have traditionally depended on precipitation, and water from streams and rivers, to irrigate their bulb onion crops. The main method for providing irrigation support is manual irrigation, with agricultural organisations assisting with basic irrigation technologies. Despite farmers and organisations efforts to improve irrigation practices, the prolonged dry season still raises labour demands for bulb onion farms. Farmers’ lack of knowledge about irrigation technology and soil water conservation contributes to this issue. Moreover, the lack of irrigation suppliers worsens the issue of limited soil water in onion farms. This paper gives an overview of onion production in PNG, focusing on irrigation practices and constraints in the Highlands region. It aims to stress irrigation’s importance in crop growth and explore PNG’s irrigation methods and soil moisture conservation practices. There is a need for a sustainable irrigation and soil water conservation system that is easy to use and incorporates crop water requirements. This system is vital for watering onions and conserving soil moisture, promoting their growth and yield. In this context, the use of mulch and irrigation systems can preserve and enhance soil moisture during prolonged dry phases.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Rodney Aku, National Agriculture Research Institute, Aiyura Highlands Regional Centre, EHP, Papua New Guinea

A Researcher with the National Agriculture Research Institute of Papua New Guinea, based in Aiyura Highlands Regional Research Centre, EHP, PNG.

A student undertaken Masters of Science in Agriculture at the University of New England. School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia.

Paul Kristiansen, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia

Associate Professor in Agricultural Systems , Agricultural Systems - Faculty of Science, Agriculture, Business and Law; School of Environmental and Rural Science.

Michael Coleman, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia

Research Project Manager - School of Environmental and Rural Science

References

Adnan, M., Asif, M., Khalid, M., Abbas, B., Hayyat, M. S., Raza, A., Khan, B. A., Hassan, M., Khan, M. A. B. & Hanif, M. S. 2020. Role of mulches in agriculture: A review. International Journal of Botany Studies, 5(3):309-314.
Agostini, F., Tei, F., Silgram, M., Farneselli, M., Benincasa, P. & Aller, M.F. 2010. Decreasing Nitrate Leaching in Vegetable Crops with Better N Management. In: Lichtfouse, E. (Eds) Genetic Engineering, Biofertilisation, Soil Quality and Organic Farming. Sustainable Agriculture Reviews, vol 4. Springer, Dordrecht, p. 147–200.
Ahmad, A., Yaseen, M., Hussain, H., Tahir, M. N., Gondal, A. H., Iqbal, M., Aziz, A., Irfan, M. & Ahmad, Z. 2022. Effects of Mulching on Crop Growth, Productivity and Yield. In Mulching in Agroecosystems: Plants, Soil & Environment. Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore, p. 215-229.
Al-Jamal, M. S., Sammis, T. W., Ball, S., & Smeal, D. 2000. Computing the crop water production function for onion. Agricultural Water Management, 46(1):29-41.
Allen, B. J., & Bourke, R. M. 1997. Report of an Assessment of the Impacts of Frost and Drought in Papua New Guinea. Port Moresby: Australian Agency for International Development.
Anisuzzaman M., Asrafuzzaman M., Mohd. Razi Ismail U. M. K. & Rahim M. A. 2009. Planting time and mulching effect on onion development and seed production. African Journal of Biotechnology, 8(3):412‒416.
Ashrafi, M. R., Raj, M., Shamim, S., Lal, K., & Kumar, G. 2020. Effect of fertigation on crop productivity and nutrient use efficiency. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 9(5):2937-2942.
Atif, M. J., Ahanger, M. A., Amin, B., Ghani, M. I., Ali, M., & Cheng, Z. 2020. Mechanism of allium crops bulb enlargement in response to photoperiod: A review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21(4):1325.
ACIAR. 2020, October. New Farming Practices Boost PNG Sweetpotato Production. https://www.aciar.gov.au/media-search/news/new-farming-practices-boost-png-sweetpotato-production.
Bagali A N, Patil H B, Guled M B & Patil R V. 2012. Effect of scheduling of drip irrigation on growth, yield and water use efficiency of onion (Allium cepa L.). Karnataka Journal of Agricultural Science, 25(1):116–119.
Bayliss‐Smith, T. 1991. Food security and agricultural sustainability in the New Guinea Highlands: vulnerable people, vulnerable places. IDS Bulletin, 22(3), p. 5–11.
Belo, T. R. D. 2022. Reducing the Risk of Onion Bacterial Diseases through Irrigation and Nitrogen Fertility Management. Washington State University.
Bello, M., & Yakubu, A. U. 2023. Examining the economic consequences of post-harvest losses in smallholder onion farming in Kano State, Nigeria. Journal of Agriculture and Environment, 19(1):53-72.
Bhasker, P., Singh, R. K., Gupta, R. C., Sharma, H. P., & Gupta, P. K. 2018. Effect of drip irrigation on growth and yield of onion (Allium cepa L.). Journal of Spices and Aromatic Crops, 27(1):32–37.
Bikila, G. A. 2020. Response of onion (Allium cepa L.) to different irrigation levels under drip and conventional furrow irrigation with and without mulch at Melkassa, Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia. Doctoral dissertation.
Biswas, S. K., Khair, A., & Sarker, P. K. 2010. Yield of onion and leaf purple blotch incidence as influenced by different levels of irrigation. Agricultura Tropica et Subtropica, 43(2):85-91.
Blanco, E. L., Rada, F., Paolini, J., & Guerrero, J. A. 2021. Effects of induced water deficit and biofertilization on growth dynamics and bulb yield of onion (Allium cepa L.) in a neotropical semi-arid environment. Canadian Journal of Soil Science, 101(3):494-506.
Bourke, R. M. 1993. Some issues in the agriculture sector of Papua New Guinea. Australian National University, Canberra.
Bourke, R. M. 2003. Intensification of agricultural systems in Papua New Guinea. Asia Pacific Viewpoint, 42(2‐3), p. 219–235.
Bourke, R. M., & Harwood, T. 2009. Food and Agriculture in Papua New Guinea. Australian National University. ISBN 978-1-921536-60-1.
Bourke, R. M., Allen, B., & Lowe, M. 2016. Estimated impact of drought and frost on food supply in rural PNG in 2015. Development Policy Centre Policy Brief 11. The Australian National University, Canberra.
Bourke, R. M. 2017. Environment and Food Production in Papua New Guinea. In Ten Thousand Years of Cultivation at Kuk Swamp in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea. ANU Press, Canberra, p. 51-64.
Bourke, R. M. 2018. Impact of climate change on agriculture in Papua New Guinea. Proceeding of Climate Change: Our Environment, Livelihoods, and Sustainability. University of Goroka, Papua New Guinea, p. 35–50.
Brewster, J.L. 1990. Physiology of Crop Growth and Bulbing. Onions and Allied Crops. CRC Press. 1st Edition, p.36.
Brewster, J.L. 2008. Onions and Other Vegetable Alliums. CABI, Wallingford, UK
Brown, P., Hainzer, K., Best, T., Wemin, J., Aris, L., & Bugajim, C. 2019. Commercial sweetpotato production in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. Acta Horticulturae. 1251, 65-72.
Bull, P., & Bourke, R. M. 1983. Growing introduced vegetables in the lowlands: fruit vegetables, corn, bulb and root vegetables. Harvest, 9: 38–73.
Cheng, W., Rashid, M. H. A., & Thomas, B. 2021. Changes in the expression of photoperiodic bulbing genes in response to increasing day length in long-day and short-day onion varieties. Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology, 96(6): 718–727.
Cobon, D.H., Ewai. M., Inape. K., Bourke, R.M. 2016. Food shortages are associated with droughts, floods, frosts and ENSO in Papua New Guinea, Agricultural Systems. 145, 150-164, ISSN 0308-521X.
Crimp. S., Aku. R., Fooks. L., et al. 2020. ACIAR Climate Smart Agriculture opportunities for enhanced food production in Papua New Guinea. ASEM/2017/026. Annual Report: July 2019 to 30 June 2020. Australian National University, Canberra.
Culas, R., & Pombre, C. 2023. Assessing socioeconomic impact of pathogen tested and conventional practice sweet potato production in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 14(14):1-11.
Curry, G. N., Koczberski, G., & Inu, S. M. 2019. Women’s and men’s work: The production and marketing of fresh food and export crops in Papua New Guinea. Oceania, 89(2):237-254.
Dar, A. A., Sharma, S., Mahajan, R., Mushtaq, M., Salathia, A., Ahamad, S. and Sharma, J. P. 2020. Overview of purple blotch disease and understanding its management through chemical, biological and genetic approaches. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 19(12): 3013-3024.
Degani, O., Dimant, E., Gordani, A., Graph, S., & Margalit, E. 2022. Prevention and control of Fusarium spp., the causal agents of Onion (Allium cepa) Basal Rot. Horticulturae, 8(11), 1071.
Ewaid, S. H., Abed, S. A., & Al-Ansari, N. 2019. Crop water requirements and irrigation schedules for some major crops in Southern Iraq. Water, 11(4), 756.
FAO. 2002. World Production and Trade Statistics. http://apps.fao.org/.
FAO. 2013. Crop information. Onion water requirements. http://www.fao.org/land-water/databases-and-software/crop-information/onion/en/.
FAO. 2019. Country Gender Assessment of Agriculture and the Rural Sector in Papua New Guinea. Port Moresby.
Fayed, M. 2020. Drip Irrigation Technology: Principles, Design, and Evaluation. In: Omran, ES., Negm, A. (Eds) Technological and Modern Irrigation Environment in Egypt, p. 275-303. Springer Water: Springer, Cham
Finkel, H. J. 2019. Handbook of Irrigation Technology: Volume 1, CRC Press, Boca Raton.
FPDA. 2016. Annual Report 2015 (Audited financial & management). Fresh Produce Development Agency, Goroka.
FPDA. 2017. Annual Report 2016 (Audited financial & management). Fresh Produce Development Agency, Goroka.
FPDA. 2018. Annual Report 2017 (Audited financial & management). Fresh Produce Development Agency, Goroka.
FPDA. 2020. Annual Report 2019 (Audited financial & management). Fresh Produce Development Agency, Goroka.
FPDA. 2021. Annual Report 2020 (Audited financial & management). Fresh Produce Development Agency, Goroka.
FPDA. 2022a. Annual Report 2021 (Audited financial & management). Fresh Produce Development Agency, Goroka.
FPDA. 2022b. Fresh Produce Quarterly News, Quarterly News Bulletin. Fresh Produce Development Agency, Goroka. Issue No. 237, October – December 2022. http://web.fpda.com.pg/resources/2022/9/30/fpn-issue-236/.
Friedman, R. S., Mackenzie, E., Baiga, R., Inape, K., Crimp, S. J., & Howden, M. 2022. Designing climate information services to enhance resilient farming activities: Lessons from Papua New Guinea. Frontiers in Climate, 4. 871987.
Galmarini, C.R. 2018. Economic and Academic Importance. In: Shigyo, M., Khar, A., Abdelrahman, M. (Eds) The Allium Genomes. Compendium of Plant Genomes, p. 1-9. Springer, Cham.
Gebremeskel, G., Gebremicael, T. G., Kifle, M., Meresa, E., Gebremedhin, T., & Girmay, A. 2018. Salinisation pattern and its spatial distribution in the irrigated agriculture of Northern Ethiopia: An integrated approach of quantitative and spatial analysis. Agricultural Water Management, 206, 147-157.
Geries, L. S. M., El-Shahawy, T. A., & Moursi, E. A. 2021. Cut-off irrigation as an effective tool to increase water-use efficiency, enhance productivity, quality and storability of some onion cultivars. Agricultural Water Management, 244, 106589.
Ghodake, R. 2002. Comments on the Papua New Guinea Country Report: Stabilization of Upland Agriculture and Rural Development in El Nino Vulnerable Papua New Guinea. United Nations Centre for Alleviation of Poverty Through Secondary Crops’ Development in Asia and the Pacific (CAPSA), Bogor.
Gnanasundari, K., S. Srivignesh, K. Rama Krishna, Manish Kumar, and A. Ramesh Kumar. 2022. Integrated Nutrient Management in Onion-A Review. Ecology Environment Conservation 28: 182-192.
Godspeed, J. L., Sagers, L. A., & Hatch, D. 1989. Horticulture Fact Sheets.
Gu, Z., Qi, Z., Burghate, R., Yuan, S., Jiao, X., & Xu, J. 2020. Irrigation scheduling approaches and applications: A review. Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, 146(6):04020007.
Gwatirisa, P. R., Pamphilon, B., & Mikhailovich, K. 2017. Coping with drought in rural Papua New Guinea: a Western Highlands case study. Ecology of food and nutrition, 56(5):393-410.
Haifa. 2022. Crop Guide: Growing Onions. https://www.haifa-group.com/crop-guide-growing-onions.
Hainzer, K., O’Mullan, C., Bugajim, C., Brown, P. 2021. Farmer to farmer education: learnings from an international study tour. Development in Practice. Taylor & Francis Journals, 31(5):665-675.
Hainzer, K., O’Mullan, C., Bugajim, C., & Brown, P. H. 2022. Exploring the design and adoption of a clean seed system for sweet potato in Papua New Guinea. Journal of Crop Improvement, 36(2):260-284.
Islam, M.N., Ahmed, S.U., Hossain, M.M. and Chowdhury, S. 2002. Effect of mulch and bulb size on growth of onion, Pakistan Journal of Biology Science, 5(6):648-650.
Jamil M, Munir M, Qasim M, Jalal B, Rehman K. 2005. Effect of different types of mulches and their duration on the growth and yield of garlic, International Journal of Agriculture Biology;7(4):588-591.
Jayant, B., Dahiya, K., Rukhiyar, A., Raj, R., & Meena, R. K. 2022. A Review of the Drip Irrigation System. Journal of Engineering Research and Application, 1(1): 22-29.
Jiménez, M., De Juan, J. A., Tarjuelo, J. M., & Ortega, J. F. 2010. Effect of irrigation uniformity on evapotranspiration and onion yield. The Journal of Agricultural Science, 148(2):139-157.
Jones, H. A. & Mann, L. K. 1963. Onion and their Allies. London, UK: Leonard Hill Books.
Kadayifci, A., Tuylu, G. İ., Ucar, Y., & Cakmak, B. 2005. Crop water use of onion (Allium cepa L.) in Turkey. Agricultural Water Management, 72(1): 59-68.
Kassu Sagara, K. 2022. Impact of improved onion technology adoption on smallholder farmers’ income and dietary diversity in Debub Ari District of South Omo Zone, SNNPRS Ethiopia (Doctoral dissertation, Haramaya University, Haramaya).
Kavanamur, E. (n.d.). Farmers guidelines training handbook for production of bulb onion in the highlands region of Papua New Guinea, unpublished report. Department of Agriculture & Livestock. Provincial Industry Support Service Highlands Region.
Kifle, M., Gebremicael, T. G., Girmay, A., & Gebremedihin, T. 2017. Effect of surge flow and alternate irrigation on the irrigation efficiency and water productivity of onion in the semi-arid areas of North Ethiopia. Agricultural water management, 187, 69-76.
Khamidov, M., & Muratov, A. 2021. Effectiveness of rainwater irrigation in crops in the context of water resources. Proceeding of IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering. 1030(1):012130. IOP Publishing.
Khan, J., Pasand, S., Tunio, S. P., Gadehi, M. A., & Shahwani, M. A. 2021. Onion production and marketing system in Balochistan Province. Pakistan Journal of Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering and Veterinary Sciences, 37(2):118-125.
Khokhar, K. M. 2017. Environmental and genotypic effects on bulb development in onion – a review. The Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology, 92(5):448-454.
Khokhar, K. M. 2019. Mineral nutrient management for onion bulb crops–a review. The Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology, 94(6):703-717.
Kiani, Z., & Mashayekhi, K. 2023. A review of the effects of onion varieties with different photoperiod requirements and their origin on selecting the suitable sowing date. International Journal of Vegetable Science, 29(5):444-455.
Kosec, Katrina; Schmidt, Emily; Carrillo, Lucia; Fang, Peixun; Ivekolia, Mark; and Ovah, Raywin. 2022. Improving agricultural value chain coordination and gender inclusiveness in Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea Project Note 11. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
Kumar, S., Imtiyaz, M., Kumar, A., & Singh, R. 2007. Response of onion (Allium cepa) to different levels of irrigation water. Agricultural water management, 89(1-2):161-166.
Lehmann, J., Bossio, D. A., Kögel-Knabner, I., & Rillig, M. C. 2020. The concept and future prospects of soil health. Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, 1(10):544-553.
Li, R., Li, Q., & Pan, L. 2021. Review of organic mulching effects on soil and water loss. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science, 67(1):136-151.
Loiskandl, W., & Nolz, R. 2021. Requirements for Sustainable Irrigated Agriculture. Agronomy, 11(2):306.
Malhotra, S. K. 2016. Achieving high water use efficiency in agriculture through per drop more crop. In Proceed, 10th World Aqua Congress, International Conference on Water smart solutions for growing India. Aqua Foundation, New Delhi, p. 377-394.
Mandal, S., Sarangi, S. K., Mainuddin, M., Mahanta, K. K., Mandal, U. K., Burman, D., Digar, S., Sharma, P. C. and Maji, B. 2022. Cropping system intensification for smallholder farmers in coastal zone of West Bengal, India: A socio-economic evaluation. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 6, online.
Metwally, A. K. 2011. Effect of water supply on vegetative growth and yield characteristics in onion (Allium cepa L.). Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 5(12), 3016-3023.
Michael, P. S. 2019. Current evidence and future projections: a comparative analysis of the impacts of climate change on critical climate-sensitive areas of Papua New Guinea. SAINS TANAH-Journal of Soil Science and Agroclimatology, 16(2):229-253.
Narayan, R., Narayan, S., Kumar, A., Hussain, K. 2022. Long day onions: varieties, cultivation and management. Food Security in Global Challenges. Mahima Research Foundation and Social Welfare. 194, Karaundi, Banaras Hindu University, India. pp. 192–205.
National Agriculture Research Institute (NARI). 2013. Recently released technologies for Papua New Guinea farmers. National Agricultural Research Institute Information and Knowledge Programme. Revised edition. Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea:
National Agriculture Research Institute. 2020, September. Resource centres can enhance farmer information. NARI Focus. https://www.nari.gov.pg/2020/09/15/resource-centres-can-enhance-farmer-information.
Nikus, O., & Mulugeta, F. 2010. Onion seed production techniques. A Manual for Extension Agents and Seed Producers. FAO. Crop Diversification and Marketing Development Project. Asella, Ethiopia.
Nurga, Y., Alemayehu, Y., & Abegaz, F. 2020. Effect of deficit irrigation levels at different growth stages on yield and water productivity of onion (Allium cepa L.) at Raya Azebo Woreda, Northern Ethiopia. Ethiopian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 30(3):155-176.
Ochar, K., & Kim, S. H. 2023. Conservation and Global Distribution of Onion (Allium cepa L.) Germplasm for Agricultural Sustainability. Plants, 12(18):3294.
Okrupa, M., Aku, R., Sar, S., Ovah, R., & Hati, H. 2017. Identifying Value Chain Constraints for Sweet potato, Irish potato and bulb onion in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea. Proceeding of International Conference on Agricultural Extension Addressing Farmer’s Needs. University of Fresh Produce Development Agency, Goroka.
Opafola, O. T., David, A. O., Lawal, N. S., & Babalola, A. A. 2018. Estimation of Water Needs of Sweet Potato (Ipomea batata) Using the Penman-Monteith Model in Abeokuta, South-western Nigeria. Arid Zone Journal of Engineering, Technology and Environment, 14(1):143.
Ortola, M. P., & Knox, J. W. 2015. Water relations and irrigation requirements of onion (Allium cepa L.): A review of yield and quality impacts. Experimental agriculture, 51(2):210-231.
Ossom, E.M., Pace, P.F., Rhykerd, R.L., Rhykerd, C.L. 2001. Effect of mulch on weed infestation, soil temperature, nutrient concentration, and tuber yield in Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. in Papua New Guinea. Tropical Agriculture, 78(3):144.
Pamphilon, B., Bue, V., & Wantum, F. 2019. Research and Learning from the ‘Inside Out’: Processes, Practices and Pedagogy of a Women’s Agricultural Economic Empowerment Project in Papua New Guinea. In Integrating Gender in Agricultural Development: Learnings from South Pacific Contexts. Emerald Publishing Limited, p. 135-147.
Pejić, B., Gvozdanović-Varga, J., Milić, S., Ignjatović-Ćupina, A., Krstić, D., & Ćupina, B. 2011. Effect of irrigation schedules on yield and water use of onion (Allium cepa L.). African Journal of Biotechnology, 10(14):2644-2652.
Piccinni, G., J. Ko, T. Marek, and DI. Leskovar. 2009. Crop coefficients specific to multiple phenological stages for evapotranspiration-based irrigation management of onion and spinach. HortScience 44:421–425.
Pinheiro, P. L., Recous, S., Dietrich, G., Weiler, D. A., Giovelli, R. L., Mezzalira, A. P., & Giacomini, S. J. 2018. Straw removal reduces the mulch physical barrier and ammonia volatilization after urea application in sugarcane. Atmospheric Environment, 194, 179-187.
Pitt, A. J. (n.d.). Report on the potential for establishing an onion industry in the Papua New Guinea Highlands, unpublished report. Port Moresby, PNG Department of Agriculture and Livestock.
Prajapati, B. K., & Srivastava, J. N. 2022. Recent Advances in the Diagnosis and Management of Major Diseases of Onion and Leek in India. Diseases of Horticultural Crops: Diagnosis and Management, 345-368.
Rachel, M. G., Mondal, M. M. A., Pramanik, M. H. R., & Awal, M. A. 2018. Mulches enhanced the growth and yield of onion. Bangladesh Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research, 53(4):305–310.
Seta-Waken, P., Boersma, M., Sparrow, L., Gracie, A., & Birch, C. J. 2016. Improved vegetable production systems for community cooperatives in the Central Province, Papua New Guinea. Acta Horticulturae, (1128):243-249.
Shaibu, A. G., Alhassan, S., & Adongo, T. A. 2015. Effect of different water application schedules on the growth and yield of onion (Allium cepa L.) at Golinga irrigation scheme in the Tolon district of the northern region, Ghana. International Journal of Science and Technology, 5(9).
Shankar, M. S., Ramanjaneyulu, A., Neelima, T., & Das, A. 2015. Sprinkler irrigation–an asset in water-scarce and undulating areas. Integrated Soil and Water Resource Management for Livelihood and Environmental Security, p. 259-283.
Shock, C. C., Feinberg, E. B., & Saunders, L. D. 2004. Plant population and nitrogen fertilisation for subsurface drip-irrigated onion. HortScience, 39(7):1722-1727.
Singh, A. 2021. A review of wastewater irrigation: Environmental implications. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, p. 168, 105454.
Syobu, S. I., & Watanabe, S. 2022. Characteristics of meteorological conditions during a severe outbreak of onion downy mildew and metalaxyl sensitivity of Peronospora destructor in Saga, Japan, in 2016. Horticulturae, 8(7):578.
Sun, Z., Wang, Y., & Sun, L. 2023. Effects of straw mulching on soil nutrient content and microbial community on the gentle slope arable land in dryland farming. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science, 69(13):2510-2521.
Tamiru Geneti, H. 2020. The response of onion (Allium cepa L.) to applied water levels under pot planting at Mehoni, Raya valley of Ethiopia. Doctoral dissertation. Hawassa University.
Terán-Chaves, C. A., Montejo-Nuñez, L., Cordero-Cordero, C., & Polo-Murcia, S. M. 2023. Water Productivity Indices of Onion (Allium cepa) under Drip Irrigation and Mulching in a Semi-Arid Tropical Region of Colombia. Horticulturae, 9(6):632.
Tripathi P C, Sankar V & Lawande K E 2010. Influence of micro irrigation methods on growth, yield and storage of Rabi onion. Indian Journal of Horticulture. 67: 61–65.
Tripathi, P. C., & Lawande, K. E. 2019. Onion storage in the tropical region—a review. Current Horticulture, 7(2):15-27.
Wakchaure, G. C., Minhas, P. S., Kumar, S., Khapte, P. S., Meena, K. K., Rane, J., & Pathak, H. 2021. Quantification of water stress impacts on canopy traits, yield, quality and water productivity of onion (Allium cepa L.) cultivars in a shallow basaltic soil of water scarce zone. Agricultural Water Management, 249, 106824.
Wang, J., Shi, X., Li, Z., Zhang, Y., Liu, Y., & Peng, Y. 2021. Responses of runoff and soil erosion to planting pattern, row direction, and straw mulching on sloped farmland in the corn belt of northeast China. Agricultural Water Management, 253, 106935.
Wang, H. J., Jingjing, W. A. N. G., & Xiaohua, Y. U. 2022. Wastewater irrigation and crop yield: A meta-analysis. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 21(4):1215-1224.
World Health Organization (WHO). 2023‎. WHO Global water, sanitation and hygiene: annual report 2022. World Health Organization.
Wiles, G.C. 1994. Onion production in Papua New Guinea. Acta Horticulturae, 358, p. 123-126.
Wiles, G. 2001. Bulb onions: the challenge of reducing dependence on imported onions. Food security for Papua New Guinea Proceedings of the Papua New Guinea Food and Nutrition 2000 Conference, PNG University of Technology, Lae, Papua New Guinea, 26-30 June 2000, p. 860-869.
Yang, D., Li, S., Wu, M., Yang, H., Zhang, W., Chen, J., ... & Zhang, Y. 2023. Drip irrigation improves spring wheat water productivity by reducing leaf area while increasing yield. European Journal of Agronomy, 143, 126710.
Published
2023-12-15
How to Cite
Aku, R., Kristiansen, P., & Coleman, M. (2023). Water management and irrigation for bulb onion (Allium cepa L.) growth and development in the Papua New Guinea Highlands. Asia Pacific Journal of Sustainable Agriculture, Food and Energy, 11(2), 47-58. https://doi.org/10.36782/apjsafe.v11i2.251
Section
Sustainable Agriculture