KHARIF ONION

Onion is most widely cultivated popular vegetable species. It is used for culinary purpose also it has several non-culinary use 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 plant\'s pest resistance. India ranks first in term of area and second in production after China.

It can cultivate 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.

N 53: Released from NIPHAD. Bulbs are having round flat shape which is red in color. The variety gets mature in 90-100 days after transplanting. It gives an average yield of 80qtl/acre.

Agrifound Dark Red: Released from NHRDF, Nasik. Bulbs are globular in shape and are dark red in color. The variety gets mature in 95-110 days after transplanting. It gives an average yield of 125-140qtl/acre.

Other state varieties:

Bhima Kiran: Suitable for growing in rabi season. Bulbs are of light red color and having round to oval shapes. Ready to harvest in 130 days. Bulbs having good keeping quality in storage. Gives average yield of 165qtl/acre.
 
Bhima Shakti: Suitable for growing in kharif and rabi season. Ready to harvest in 130 days after transplanting, gives average yield of 170qtl/acre.

Bhima Shweta: Suitable for rabi season. Bulbs are of white color and round in shape. Ready to harvest in 110-115 days after transplanting. Gives average yield of 160qtl/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 leveled soil and divide into small plots and channels. If Sulphur deficiency is observed, then use gypsum @165kg/acre and mix well in the soil.   

Time of sowing
For kharif season, sowing is done in the month of last week of July to august month.

Spacing
While transplanting, use spacing of 15 cm between rows and 7.5 cm between plants.
 
Sowing Depth
In nursery, sow seeds at depth of 1-2 cm.

Method of sowing
For sowing use transplanting method.
 

Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)

Apply 15-20 tonnes of Farm Yard Manure or well decomposed cow dung 10 days before sowing. Apply Nitrogen@40 kg, Phophorus@20 kg and Potash@40 kg in form of Urea@90 kg, Single Super Phosphate@125 kg per acre and MOP@75 kg/acre. Apply whole quantity of Phosphorus, Potash and half dose of Nitrogen at time of transplanting. Apply remaining amount of nitrogen as top dressing, four weeks after transplantation.

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

Seed Rate
Use seed rate of 4-5 kg/acre.

Seed Treatment
Seed treatment with Thiram@2 gm/kg of seed + Benomyl 50WP@1 gm/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 helps in reducing early seedling diseases and soil borne inoculum.
 

Depending upon climatic conditions and soil type decide irrigation amount and frequency. At the time of sowing or transplanting or after 3-4 days, do irrigation to moist the soil then depending upon need apply irrigation with interval of 10-15 days.
 

Depending upon climatic conditions and soil type decide irrigation amount and frequency. At the time of sowing or transplanting or after 3-4 days, do irrigation to moist the soil then depending upon need apply irrigation with interval of 10-15 days.
 

• Pest and their control:
  

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

If infestation is observed, apply Phorate@4kg to the soil and give light irrigation. Apply Chlorpyriphos @1.5Ltr/acre along with irrigation water or sand.

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@30ml/15Ltr water or Prophenophos@10ml /10Ltr water by 8-10days interval.
 

• 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 Propineb70%WP@350gm/acre/150Ltr of water, twice at 10days 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.