Productivity, physicochemical quality and early flowering resistance of experimental onion hybrids

ABSTRACT In order to produce bulbs or seeds, onion plants depend on genotype X environment interaction. Thus, breeders shall select the genotypes based climatic conditions of each producing region. This study aimed evaluate 17 experimental hybrids and two commercial (‘Bella Dura’ ‘Buccaneer’), agronomic, physicochemical attributes resistance early flowering under subtropical conditions. Joint analysis variance phenotypic divergence estimated through principal component (PCA) Ward’s hierarchical clustering were performed. We observed that time transplantation affected agronomic traits more than traits, not affecting percentage genotypes. The first transplant season provided higher bulb productivity, whereas second reduced cycle productivity. Hybrids H1, H17 ‘Buccaneer’ showed rate lower 3%. Among hybrids, H2 productivity when comparing with cultivars, H12 H14 equivalent them. However, highest (43%). considering evaluated conditions, H2, H14, potential for use as parents in advancing breeding program, they stood out presenting good yield, quality low flowering.