Abstract: Effect of rice husk, sawdust, ash and burnt soils as mulches on the growth attributes of onion was studied. Significant variations were observed in plant height, root length, total dry matter accumulation, leaf area index (LAI), crop growth rate (CGR) and net assimilation rate (NAR), whereas relative growth rate (RGR) was found nonsignificant in all stages of growth. Root: shoot ratio was significantly different at the early stages of growth (30 to 60 DAT) and thereafter it was found nonsignificant. All the mulches had positive effect on growth attributes over the control and the use of ash as mulch was found better compared to the other three.