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 be cultivated on various soil types 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.

PRO 6: Medium heighted variety with deep red, medium-large and round bulb. Ready to harvest in 120 days after transplanting. Gives average yield of 175 qtl/acre. Bulbs have good keeping quality.

Punjab Naroya: Medium heighted variety with deep red, medium-large and round bulb. Ready to harvest in 145 days after transplanting. Gives average yield of 150 qtl/acre. It is tolerant to purple blotch disease.

Punjab White: Medium large, round and white variety. Gives average yield of 135 qtl/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 165 qtl/acre.

Bhima Shakti: Suitable for growing in kharif and rabi season. Ready to harvest in 130 days after transplanting, gives average yield of 170 qtl/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 160 qtl/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 200 qtl/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 the soil and divide into small plots and channels.      

Time of sowing
Optimum time for raising nursery is middle of October to middle of November month. Seedlings are ready for transplantation in middle of December to Middle of January month. For transplanting, select 10-15 cm heighted healthy seedlings.

Spacing
To get higher yield, 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.

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

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@2 gm/kg of seed is recommended, it help in reducing early seedling diseases and soil borne inoculum.

Fertilizer Requirements (kg/acre)

Nutrient Requirements (kg/acre)

Apply 20 tonnes of Farm Yard Manure or well decomposed cow dung 10 days before sowing. Apply Nitrogen@40 kg, Phophorus@20 kg and Potash@20 kg in form of Urea@90 kg, Single Super Phosphate@125 kg per acre and MOP@35 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.

Initially onion seedlings grow slowly. So it is better to use chemical herbicides than hand weeding to avoid injury. To control weeds take spray of Pendimethalin(Stomp)@1 ltr/200 ltr water/acre within 72 hours of sowing. Apply Oxyfluorfen @425 ml/200 ltr 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.

Depending upon climatic conditions and soil type decide irrigation amount and frequency. Apply first irrigation immediately after sowing then depending upon need apply irrigation with interval of 10-15 days.

• 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.

1.Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana

2.Department of Agriculture

3.Indian Agricultural Research Instittute, New Delhi

4.Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research

5.Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare