Copyright (c) 2026 Journal of Agricultural Research

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
The effect of two cultivation systems (greenhouse and open field), two onion varieties (Alvara and Gladalan Brown), and two fertilization methods (fertigation and soil fertilization) on onion crop production and quality was evaluated in the Highlands of Chiriquí, Panama. The study was conducted at the IDIAP Experimental Station in Cerro Punta using a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design in split-strip plots with three replications. Variables related to bulb quantity and weight were analyzed according to bulb size classification (jumbo, large, medium, small, and deformed). Due to the lack of normality in the data, the non-parametric Kruskal–Wallis test, Dunn’s post hoc test, and the Scheirer–Ray–Hare ANOVA were applied for statistical analysis. The results showed significant differences (p < 0.05) among cultivation systems, treatments, and varieties. The greenhouse system showed superior performance compared to open-field conditions, reflected in higher yield and better commercial bulb quality. The CVT1V1 combination (greenhouse, fertigation, and Alvara variety) was identified as the most efficient treatment, producing a greater proportion of commercial-grade bulbs and a lower incidence of deformed bulbs. In contrast, the CAT1V2, CAT2V2, and CVT2V2 combinations showed the least favorable results in terms of quantity, weight, and quality. It was concluded that the interaction among cultivation system, fertilization methods, and variety significantly influences crop performance, with protected agriculture using the Alvara variety representing an efficient and sustainable agronomic alternative for onion production.