evaluation of planting systems effects (transplant and onion set) on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of some onion genotypes in behbahan region

in order to study the effects of planting systems on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of some onion genotypes, an experiment was conducted in a split plot arrangement in randomized complete block design with three replications in behbahan agriculture research station for two years (2012-2014). in this study two planting systems: onion set and transplant were assigned to main plots and four onion genotypes: primavera, texas-early grano, behbahan (promising line) and ramhormoz (landrace) were randomized in sub plots. the results showed that the highest total and marketable yields obtained from onion set system, however the difference of marketable yield between onion set and transplant system was not significant. the total and marketable yields of primavera cultivar were higher than the other genotypes at 1% probability level. the highest weight, diameter and height of bulb, false diameter as well as minimum neck diameter were belonged to primavera cultivar. the maximum total soluble  solid and bulb dry matter % produced by behbahan promising cultivar. the results revealed that primavera cultivar with total and marketable yields 65.63 and 64.40 t ha-1 respectively, can be recommended to earliness onion production in behbahan region.