Short Communication SEED QUALITY IMPROVEMENT BY SIZE GRADING IN MULTIPLIER ONION

set seed but showed wide variability of size at harvestable maturity. The seeds retained in the ISS (International Standard Sieve) 170 found to constitute 69.5 per cent showed superior seed quality parameters viz., 100 seed weight (267 mg), gennination (91 per cent) etc. over medium and small sized seeds. The medium and small sized seeds retained on the ISS 140, ISS120 respectively, shriveled and ill-filled seeds passed through ISS 120 are found to be inferior. Multiplier union (Allium cepa L.var. aggregatum) is onc of the important vegetables being extensively lIsed in South India for culinary purpose. A local variety "Mutlur " was found to flower profusely and set seed in some parts of Tamil Nadu but it shuws wide variability of size at harvestabl