The experiment was carried out in Ponta Grossa-PR, aiming to evaluate onion seedlings produced in trays with different cell numbers and their further field production under a no tillage system. Onion seedlings were produced under protected cultivation. The experimental design was completely randomized blocks, with three replications. Treatments followed a factorial scheme 4 x 3, with four cultivars (Mercedes, Bola Precoce, Crioula and Montana) and three types of polystyrene trays, with 128, 200 and 288 cells. The substrate used was Plantmax® and seeds were sowed in May, 15. Seedlings were evaluated 53 days after sowing for length, fresh, and dry weight of upground and root material. The field trial was carried out on dry oat straw. The experimental design was completely randomized blocks, with three replications, with the following treatments: four cultivars (Mercedes, Bola Precoce, Crioula, and Montana) and three tray types; 128 (M1), 200 (M2), and 288 cells (M3). 84 days after transplanting, plant height, leaf number and neck diameter were evaluated. Plants were harvested on different days, according to maturation. Yield was evaluated and bulbs were graded by diameter into classes. In seedling production, it was observed that the highest values for onion upground length and fresh weight were obtained on seedlings produced in 128 cells to all cultivars. The largest size of the M1 seedlings was an important attribute to define quality on seedlings production. This characteristic reflected on early bulbification and higher bulb yield and quality, when compared with M2 and M3 seedlings. Independent of the cultivar, seedlings produced in trays resulted in high yield (average of 90,7 t ha-1) and high bulb quality and M1 seedlings shower strong concentration of bulbs graded into classes 3 C (60 < Ø <70 mm) and 4 (70 < Ø <90mm).
Allium cepa L.; seedling size; bulb yield; bulb grading; minimum tillage; no-tillage
