Participatory Evaluation of Improved Shallot (Allium Cepa Var. aggregatum) Varieties and Their Bulb Size Effect on Yield and Yield Traits in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

The research was initiated with the objectives of identifying best shallot varieties with preferred horticultural characters for cultivation in Wolaita Zone of Southern Ethiopia, and selecting the appropriate bulb size that gives the most potential yield for each variety. Therefore, the performance of three improved varieties (Hurruta, Minjar and Negelle) and one local variety was evaluated participating farmers from the study area. Factorial combination of the four varieties with the three bulb sizes (small, medium and large) was assigned into randomized complete block design and replicated three times. Significant differences (p<0.05) among varieties were recorded for number of leaves per plant and marketable yields per hectare while plant height, number of non-marketable bulbs per plant and total yield (t/ha) were highly significantly (p<0.01) influenced by varieties. Number of tillers per plant, number of leaves per plant, number of marketable and non-marketable bulbs per plant and number of total bulbs per plant were among parameters that highly significantly (p<0.01) affected by bulb size. Farmers’ overall evaluation indicated that the varieties Hurruta and Minjar were found promising under Wolaita Zone where the climatic conditions are suitable for shallot production although variety Minjar was not recommended by the researchers due to its high bolting problem. Therefore, the authors advised the two improved varieties, Hurruta and Negelle, for their good performance, adaptability, yielding capacity and absence of bolting problem in the study area. Key words: Bulb size, participatory, shallot, varietie