Onion nutrition advice

Planting density is a very important management factor in determining bulb size in onion crops. In addition, good crop nutrition can help growers to achieve a desired diameter. Nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus are essential to influence onion bulb size.

A balanced crop nutrition program can help to improve overall yield by increasing onion bulb weight.

The number of onions produced can be influenced by a variety of factors, for example, plant density. Planting crops at higher densities can result in greater numbers of onion bulbs, but of smaller size. Thus, it is important to manipulate sowing density...

It is particularly important to ensure that environmental and growth constraints do not limit onion bulb yield, and thereby quality. Taste and pungency are important elements in determining the quality of onion crops.

The majority of onion crops are grown for the fresh market. Bulbs should be sufficiently dry for the intended purpose. Most common bulb onions have 10-12% dry matter. Onions grown for dehydration require higher dry matters of 17-20%. Nitrogen and...

Firmness is a critical characteristic of onion crops, particularly in dry bulb onions which are stored for long periods. Growers can influence bulb firmness by applying balanced nutrition.

Taste and pungency of onions are key quality characteristics of this crop. They vary among types and cultivars. Pungency is largely due to the level of sulfur - based non-protein amino acids they contain. Sweetness can be assessed by the levels of sugars...

A uniform skin is a major element of onion appearance for the fresh market. In addition, the strength of the onion skin is important to help keep diseases and storage problems away. Skin cracking can be a result of poor soil moisture. A balanced nutrition...

Onions should be mature and dry when harvested. Onion bulbs need to be carefully handled to minimize bruising and cuts that can allow disease to enter. Onions need a period of curing or drying in order to seal the neck, prevent invasion of diseases and...

Onions thrive best when temperatures are cool during early development and then warmer and sunny during maturity. Nutritional programs containing soluble calcium can help to protect crops against chilling injury, which can lead to cell breakdown.

Onions have a relatively low nutrient uptake efficiency, due to their shallow root system characterised by thick roots with very few and short hairs. So to achieve optimum yields it is important to apply nutrients as close as possible to the rooting zone...

Browse the complete list of all the onion articles pages to see how crop nutrition affects onion yield, quality, health or effect on the environment and see the roles of different nutrients.