Effectiveness of watering intervals and fertiliser types to increase the growth and productivity of shallots on dryland

Shallot cultivation in dryland areas is often constrained by limited water availability and low soil fertility. Deficiencies in organic matter and essential nutrients, particularly nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, hinder optimal plant growth. To enhance the success of shallot farming under such conditions, strategies to improve water availability and nutrient supply are required, including periodic irrigation and the application of site-specific fertilisers. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different watering intervals and fertiliser types on the growth and productivity of shallots in dryland ecosystems, serving as a reference for good agricultural practices. The experiment was conducted in Bulupountu Village, Sigi Biromaru District, Sigi Regency, Central Sulawesi, from May 2023 to November 2023. A split-plot experimental design was employed, with watering interval as the main plot factor (T1: daily, T2: every two days, T3: every three days) and fertiliser type as the subplot factor (F0: no fertiliser/control, F1: organic fertiliser at recommended dose, F2: inorganic fertiliser at recommended dose). The agronomic performance observed was plant height, number of leaves per plant, number of tillers, bulb weight per clump and yield per hectare of shallot. The results demonstrated that both watering interval and fertiliser type significantly influenced shallot growth and yield. The combination of watering every two days and application of 5 t/ha organic fertiliser yielded the most favourable results, producing up to 6.20 t/ha of shallots. These findings suggest that optimising water and nutrient management is essential for improving shallot productivity in dryland agriculture.