Proper management from land preparation to post-harvest handling is essential for achieving high yields and quality bulbs.

## 1. LAND PREPARATION

Select well-drained, fertile sandy loam or loam soils with a pH of 6.0–7.0.

Clear all weeds, crop residues, and stones.

Plough the land deeply (20–30 cm) and harrow until a fine seedbed is obtained.

Prepare raised beds where drainage is poor to prevent waterlogging.

2. ONION VARIETIES

Popular onion varieties include:

Red Creole

Bombay Red

Texas Grano

Red Pinoy

Tropicana F1

Safari F1

Red Coach F1

Choose varieties based on market demand, climate suitability, and disease resistance.

3. PLANTING AND SPACING

Nursery:

*Sow seeds in a nursery bed.

Transplant seedlings when they are 15–20 cm tall (6–8 weeks old).

Spacing:

30 cm between rows.

10 cm between plants.

This gives adequate space for bulb development and air circulation.

4. FERTILIZER REQUIREMENTS

Before planting:

Apply well-decomposed manure (5–10 tons per hectare).

Basal Fertilizer:

Compound D or NPK (10:20:10 or equivalent)

200–300 kg/ha

Top Dressing:

Urea or CAN

100–150 kg/ha split into two applications.

Important:

Avoid excessive nitrogen after bulb formation as it delays maturity and reduces storage quality.

5. MAJOR PESTS AND CONTROL

Thrips

Damage:

Silvery patches on leaves.

Leaf curling and reduced bulb size.

Control:

Remove weeds.

Avoid overcrowding.

Spray:

Abamectin

Emamectin Benzoate

Spinosad

Lambda-cyhalothrin

Cutworms

Damage:

Cut young seedlings at ground level.

Control:

Field sanitation.

Deep ploughing.

Spray:

Cypermethrin

Lambda-cyhalothrin

Onion Maggot

Damage:

Larvae feed on roots and bulbs causing wilting.

Control:

Crop rotation.

Destroy infected plants.

Use recommended soil insecticides.

6. COMMON DISEASES AND MANAGEMENT

Purple Blotch

Symptoms:

Purple lesions on leaves.

Management:

Good spacing.

Avoid overhead irrigation.

Spray:

Mancozeb

Chlorothalonil

Azoxystrobin

Downy Mildew

Symptoms:

Pale green patches and grey fungal growth.

Management:

Improve air circulation.

Avoid excessive moisture.

Spray:

Metalaxyl + Mancozeb

Copper-based fungicides

Fusarium Basal Rot

Symptoms:

Yellowing leaves and rotting bulb base.

Management:

Crop rotation.

Use disease-free seed.

Improve drainage.

Neck Rot

Symptoms:

Bulb rotting during storage.

Management:

Proper curing before storage.

Avoid bulb injuries during harvesting.

7. IRRIGATION

Water regularly during vegetative growth.

Reduce watering when bulbs begin maturing.

Stop irrigation 10–14 days before harvest to improve bulb quality and storage life.

8. HARVESTING

Harvest when 50–80% of tops have naturally fallen over.

Carefully lift bulbs to avoid bruising.

Remove excess soil but do not wash bulbs.

9. POST-HARVEST HANDLING

Dry onions under shade for 2–3 weeks.

Allow necks and outer scales to dry completely.

Remove damaged, diseased, and undersized bulbs.

Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place.

Use mesh bags, crates, or racks to allow airflow.

Properly cured onions can be stored for several months with minimal losses.

Successful onion production depends on proper land preparation, balanced fertilization, timely pest and disease control, and careful post-harvest management. Following these practices can significantly increase yields, quality, and profitability.

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