The effect of nitrogen and sulfur applications on pyruvic acid content of onion (Allium cepa L.)

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of nitrogen and sulfur applications on pyruvic acid content of onion, an important quality criterion. The study was performed in Ataturk Central Horticultural Research Institute between 2012 and 2013. The fertilizers were applied in combination of N and S having different ratios of the N-S combinations as 0, 50, 100 and 200 kg N ha-1 and 0, 25, 50 and 100 kg S ha-1. The effects of applications on pyruvic acid content were determined. First year, the pyruvic acid contents were between 10.88 and 13.59 ?moles mL-1. The lowest pyruvic acid content was observed on N20S25, whereas the largest content was on N0S25 combinations. The pyruvic acid contents of the second year's bulbs were higher than first year, with 11.69-14.60 ?moles mL-1 and N200S0 and N0S0 combinations respectively. The effect of nitrogen and sulfur fertilizers on pyruvic acid content of onion was found to be statistically insignificant in both years. © 2019 International Society for Horticultural Science. All rights reserved.