Effect of Biostimulant FOLERGY on Onion Yield and Quality

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted during Kharif 2025–26 at the Agriculture Research Station, Achalpur, Maharashtra, to evaluate the effect of the Biostimulant Folergy on growth, yield, and quality of white onion (Bhima Shubhra). The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with eight treatments and three replications. Folergy contains humic and fulvic acids, potassium, glycine amino acid, vitamins C and E, myo-inositol, and organic carbon. Treatments comprised soil application, foliar sprays, and their combinations at different doses. Application of Folergy significantly improved plant growth, bulb development, and yield attributes compared with the untreated control. The combined soil application of Folergy @ 500 g acre⁻¹ (1250 g/ha) at 15 and 30 days after planting (DAP) along with foliar sprays @ 2.0 g L⁻¹ at 25 and 45 DAP (T₇) recorded the highest plant height (66.0 cm), number of leaves (12.0), bulb diameter (6.59 cm), average bulb weight (102.27 g), and bulb yield (313.30 q ha⁻¹), representing a 28.77% increase in yield over the control (243.31 q ha⁻¹). The same treatment also produced the highest proportion of Grade A bulbs (81%) and the lowest neck thickness (0.72 cm), indicating superior bulb maturity and marketable quality. Total soluble solids (TSS) ranged from 10.0 to 11.0%, with the highest value observed in T₇, although differences were statistically non-significant among treatments. The improved performance was attributed to enhanced root growth, nutrient uptake, photosynthetic efficiency, stress tolerance, and assimilate translocation induced by the humic and fulvic acids, amino acids, vitamins, and myo-inositol present in Folergy. The study concluded that combined soil application of Folergy @ 500 g acre⁻¹ and foliar sprays @ 1.5–2.0 g L⁻¹ at 25 and 45 DAP is an effective agronomic practice for improving productivity, bulb quality, and profitability of Kharif onion under adverse environmental conditions.