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Abstract
Plants of onion (Allium cepa L.) grown in the greenhouse and field were treated with antitranspirants during the bulb enlargement stage of growth. Daily water use in the greenhouse was significantly reduced by 1% Vapor Gard (di-1-p-menthene) and 3% Folicote (parafin wax) emulsions. The 3% Folicote treatment reduced bulb yield. In field studies, Folicote increased bulb size and total yield by 1.5–4.2 MT/ha. The increased yields resulted from larger bulb size, presumably due to reduction in the degree of moisture stress between irrigations. Neutron probe readings indicated a reduction in the rate of water removal from soils (30 cm depth) and an increase in bulb size and total yield in plots treated with the antitranspirants Folicote and tallow.