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 plants 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.

Pusa Red: Released from IARI, New Delhi. It gives an average weight of 70-90gm. The variety matures in 140-145 days after transplanting. It contains 12-13% TSS content. It gives an average yield of 104-125qtl/acre.

Pusa Ratnaar: Released from NBPGR, New Delhi. The variety matures in 125 days. It contains 11-12% TSS content. It gives an average yield of 145-166qtl/acre.

Arka Niketa: Released from IIHR, Bangalore. They contain 12-14% TSS content. The variety matures in 145 days. It gives an average yield of 140qtl/acre.

Agrifound Light Red: Released from NHRDF, Nasik. The variety contains 13% TSS content. The variety matures in 160-165 days. It gives an average yield of 125-140qtl/acre.

Agrifound Dark Red: Released from NHRDF, Nasik. Bulbs are globular in shape and are dark red in color. The variety gets mature in 150-160 days after transplanting. It gives an average yield of 83-105qtl/acre.

Punjab Selection: Released in PAU, Ludhiana. The bulbs have an average weight of 50-70gm. It contains 14% TSS content. It gives an average yield of 125-145qtl/acre.

Red Creole, Pusa White Flat, Pusa Madhvi and Punjab-48 are also the varieties grown in Uttarakhand.

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
In plain areas: End-October to mid-November
In hilly areas: For 6000m height sowing is done in October to mid-November and for height above 6000m, sowing is done in end-February to May month.

Spacing
While transplanting, use spacing of 15cm between rows and 5-8cm between plants.
 
Sowing Depth
In nursery, sow seeds at depth of 1-2 cm.

Method of sowing
For sowing use transplanting method.
 

Seed Rate
Use seed rate of 3.3-4.1 kg/acre.

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

Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)

Apply Nitrogen@18 kg, Phosphorus@20 kg and Potash@41 kg/acre should be given. Apply whole quantity of Phosphorus, Potash and half dose of Nitrogen at time of transplanting. Apply remaining amount of nitrogen as top dressing, one month after transplantation.

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

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.

Initially onion seedlings grow slowly, so better to use chemical herbicides than hand weeding to avoid injury. To control weeds take spray of Pendimethalin(Stomp)@1ltr/150ltr water/acre within 72 hours of sowing. Apply oxyfluorfen@325ml/150ltr of water per acre as post emergence herbicide 7 days 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.

• Pest 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.