ONION (KHARIF)

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 rank 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.     

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.  

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.

Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)

Depending upon climatic conditions and soil type decide irrigation amount and frequency. In general, it required five-eight irrigation. 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 10-15days before harvesting. 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.

• 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 Carbaryl@4kg or Phorate@4kg to the soil and give light irrigation. Or Apply Chlorpyriphos @1.5Ltr/acre along with irrigation water or sand

• Disease and their control:

Purple blotch and stem phylium 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.