Optimizing Growth and Yield of Shallot by Different Water-soluble Fertilizer Package

Proper nutrient management, particularly through fertigation using water-soluble fertilizers, is essential for optimizing the vegetative growth and yield of shallots. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different water-soluble fertilizer packages on shallot growth and yield. Conducted under a rain shelter at MARDI Sintok, the experiment utilized three water-soluble NPK formulations—T1 (high concentration), T2 (intermediate concentration), and T3 (low concentration)—arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). The results indicated that the fertilizer formulations significantly influenced plant height and bulb fresh weight, whereas the number of bulbs per plant was not significantly affected. The intermediate fertilizer formulation (T2) consistently produced superior results, achieving a maximum plant height of 62.7 cm and the highest bulb fresh weight of 287.16 g. The number of bulbs ranged from 4.3 to 4.7 per plant across all treatments, suggesting that bulb multiplication is more strongly regulated by genetic and environmental factors rather than variations in nutrient supply. In conclusion, balanced fertilization at moderate nutrient levels (T2) represents the most efficient nutrient strategy for maximizing shallot yield without the drawbacks of fertilizer over-application.