Onion is most widely cultivated popular vegetable species. It is used for culinary purpose also it has several non-culinary uses like it is used as Moth repellent because of its pungent juice, it is used to polish glass and copperware, onion concentrated water can be spray on plants to increased plants pest resistance. Along with fresh consumption, it is used in flakes, powdered, paste form. Nutritive value of small onion is more compared to large one. India ranks first in term of area and second in production after China. Maharashtra is major onion producing state in term of area and production, followed by Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.

Maharashtra is major onion producing state with high productivity. Near about 1.05lakh hectare area is under onion cultivation and contributes near about 37% in total production. Nashik is major onion producing district of Maharashtra, other onion producing areas are Ahmadnagar, Dhule, Jalgaon, Pune, Satara and Solapur. 

It can be cultivated on various soil type such as sandy loam, clay loam silt loam and heavy soils. It gives best result when grown in deep loam and alluvial soils with good drainage, moisture holding capacity and sufficient organic matter. Loose and sandy soils are not suitable for cultivation as bulb produce in such soil are deformed with less keeping quality. pH of soil should be 6 to 7.  

Bhima Kiran: Suitable for Rabi cultivation. Ready to harvest in 125-135days. Gives average yield of 11-13qtl/acre.

Bhima light Red: Ready to harvest in 110-120days. Gives average yield of 14-16qtl/acre.

N 241: Brick red and globular shape bulbs. Bulbs are medium size with good keeping quality. Gives average yield of 100-120qtl/acre.

Bhima Red: Suitable for Late kharif also. Bulbs are attractive red color. Ready to harvest in 115-120days. Gives average yield of 190-210qtl/acre.

Bhima Raj: Dark red, oval shape bulbs. Ready to harvest in 120-125days. Gives average yield of 100-120qtl/acre.

Bhima Shakti: Suitable for growing in Kharif and Rabi season. Ready to harvest in 130days after transplanting, gives average yield of 170qtl/acre. 

Bhima Shweta: Variety with white colors bulbs. Ready to harvest in 110-120days. Gives average yield of 10-12qtl/acre.

Punjab red round: Shinning red with globular shape variety. Early maturing, high yielding variety. Gives average yield of 100qtl/acre.

Pusa Ratnar: Bulbs are flat globular shape with deep bronze red color variety. Gives average yield of 125-140qtl/acre.

Pusa Red: Medium size bulb with bronze color. It has good keeping quality. Gives average yield of 125-140days after transplantation. It gives average yield of 100-120qtl/acre.

Pusa White Round: White, round, flat bulbs. Gives average yield of 120qtl/acre.

Other states variety

NHRDF-Red: High yielding variety with attractive dark red color bulbs. Ready to harvest in 110-120days. Gives average yield of 100-120qtl/acre. 

Agrifound light red: Bulbs are globular shape with light red color with 4-6cm in diameter. Gives average yield of 120-130qtl/acre.

Pusa white flat: White, flat, medium to large size bulb. Suitable for dehydration.

Pusa Madhavi: Medium to large size bulb with light red color. Ready to harvest in 130-135days after transplanting. Gives average yield of 120qtl/acre.

Pusa Ridhi: Suitable for kharif as well rabi season. Bulbs are compact, flat globular with dark red color. Gives average yield of 120qtl/acre.

Arka Bindu: Small size bulb with deep pink color. Early maturing variety suitable for export. Gives average yield of 100qtl/acre.

Banglore Rose: Small size bulb with uniform size. Gives average yield of 60qtl/acre.

Early Grano: Developed by IARI, New Delhi. Bulbs are of yellow color. Suitable for cultivation in Kharif as well as Rabi season. Gives average yield of 200qtl/acre.  

Brown spanish: Yellow color variety with excellent storage capacity. Gives average yield of 100-120qtl/acre.

Arka Pitamber: Uniform, globular bulbs with good storage capacity. 

Phule swarna: Suitable for export. Gives average yield of 96qtl/acre.

Kalyanpur Red Round: Popular variety of Uttar Pradesh. Bulbs are brown color with globular shape. Plants are ready to harvest in 150-160days. Gives average yield of 8-10ton/acre.

Give three to four deep ploughing and bring soil to fine tilth. Add well decomposed cow dung to increase organic content of soil. Then levelled soil and divide into small plots and channels.

Time of sowing

October to November month is ideal time for nursery raising. Seedling are ready for transplantation in month of December- January. For transplantation, select 10-15cm heighted healthy seedlings. 

Spacing

While transplanting, use spacing of 15cm between rows and 10cm between plants. 

Sowing Depth

In nursery, sow seeds at depth of 1-2cm. 

Method of sowing

For sowing use transplanting method.

Seed rate

Seed rate of 4-5kg is sufficient for raising seedling required for one acre land.

Seed Treatment

Seed treatment with Thiram@2gm/kg of seed + Benomyl 50WP@1gm/liter water effectively controls damping off and smut diseases. After chemical treatment, seed treatment with bio agent Trichoderma viride@2gm/kg of seed is recommended, it help in reducing early seedling diseases and soil borne inoculum.

Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)

Apply 20 tons of Farm Yard Manure or well decomposed cow dung 10days before sowing. Apply Nitrogen@45kg, Phophorus@16kg and Potash@24kg in form of Urea@100kg, Single Super Phosphate@100kg per acre and MOP@40kg/acre. Apply whole quantity of Phosphorus, Potash and one third dose of Nitrogen at time of Transplanting. Apply remaining amount of nitrogen in two equal splits as top dressing, 30days and 45days after transplantation.

Sulphur is also important to obtained good yield. Depending upon soil test result, apply 6-12kg/acre of Sulphur at time transplantation. 

WSF: 10-15days after transplanting, sprayed 19:19:19 along with microneutrient@2.5 to 3gm/Ltr of water.

Depending upon climatic conditions and soil type decide irrigation amount and frequency. In general, it required 12-15 irrigation in rabi season with interval of 10-12days. Apply first irrigation immediately after sowing. And second irrigation, three days after transplantation. Apply remaining irrigations at interval of 7-10days depending upon need and soil moisture. Stop irrigation when crops get mature. Avoid excessive irrigation.

To control weeds, take spray of Pendimethalin(Stomp)@1Ltr/200Ltr water/acre within 72 hours of sowing. Apply Oxyflorfen@425ml/200Ltr of water per acre as post emergence herbicide 7days after planting. Two to three weeding are recommended for weed control. First hand weeding should be done one month after sowing and second-hand weeding to be done one month after first hand weeding.

• Pests and their control:

Thrips: If not controlled properly can cause yield loss up to 50%. Mostly observed in dry weather. They suck sap from the foliage and results in curling of leaves, leaves become cup shaped or curved upward.

To check severity of thrips incidence, keep blue sticky traps @6-8 per acre. If infestation observed in field take spray of Fipronil (Regenta)@30 ml/15 ltr water. Or Prophenophos@10ml /10 ltr water by 8-10 days interval.

Maggots: Infestation observed in January-February Month. They feed on roots causes browning of leaves. Base of plant become watery.

If infestation is observed, apply Carbaryl@1 ltr or Phorate@4 kg to the soil and give light irrigation. Or Apply Chlorpyriphos @2 ltr/acre alongwith irrigation water or sand.

• Disease and their control:

Purple blotch and stemphylium blight: In severe infestation may cause yield loss up to 70%. Deep purple lesions are observed on leaves. Yellow streaks get turn brown and extend along the blade.

Take spray of Propineb 70%WP@350 gm/acre/150 ltr of water, twice at 10 days interval.

Harvesting at proper time is necessary. It depend upon variety, season, market price etc. 50% neck falls is sign indicating crop is ready for harvesting. Harvesting is done manually by uprooting bulbs. After harvesting they are kept in field for 2-3 days to remove excessive moisture from bulb.

After harvesting and proper drying, bulbs are sorted and graded according to size.