Onion
Onion is the most widely-used flavoring vegetable in the world.
Its origin is in the tropical center of Western Asia. Onions come in three colors: yellow, red, and white. The most popular onions are the yellow varieties, which account for almost 90% of the total onion production.
GROWING CONDITIONS:
Varieties are divided according to the length of day
GROWING CONDITIONS:
Varieties are divided according to the length of day required for bulb development:
- Short day varieties: 11–12 hours
- Intermediate day varieties: 12–14 hours
- Long day varieties: 14 hours or more
Common yields are:
- Short day varieties: 60–70 tons/ha
- Intermediate day varieties: 80–100 tons/ha
- Long day varieties: 120–140 tons/ha
Optimum day temperatures are 15–25 ºC.
Onion prefers light and well-drained soils. Highly compacted soils can affect bulb development and
cause yield reduction.
Optimum soil PH is 6–7.
FIELD PREPARATION:
- Onion can be grown from both :seeds and transplants
- Sowing is usually done on elevated beds 1.5–2 m wide.
- Seeds are sown in double rows, with 4–6 rows per bed.
- 800–900 thousand seeds per hectare will give 700–800 thousand plants (90-95% germination).
FERTILIZATION:
Onion reacts strongly to fertilization. It is recommended to apply 20–30 m3 compost per hectare during
field preparation. It is recommended performing a soil analysis of the top 20 cm and supplementing necessary nutrients to minimum levels. The rest of the fertilizers should be applied via fertigation.
Total water consumption depends on local conditions and varies from 400–1,000 mm per cycle.
After sowing, irrigation of 30–40 mm is required for germination, followed by light daily irrigation until
seedling mergence. It is critical to keep the soil wet during this period.
Irrigation can be done according to local evaporation and the crop coefficient.
Irrigating onion is not an easy task and can be done with different methods, using different systems. When planning an irrigation system for onion irrigation, keep
in mind:
- Maximal daily water requirements
- Water distribution uniformity
- Germination ability
- Application of fertilizers
- Application and activation of herbicides and pesticides
- Susceptibility of the crop to foliar diseases under humid conditions
LOW VOLUME SPRINKLER IRRIGATION:
This irrigation method is characterized by full coverage with high water distribution uniformity, low
precipitation rates and low water impact on the soil. This provides a complete solution for irrigation and
fertilization during the entire growing period. Since the field is uniformly irrigated, there are no limitations regarding sowing pattern. It is ideal for germination and early stages, essential for both technical irrigations for soil preparation and activation of granular herbicides and pesticides.
Based on the low volume sprinkler method NaanDanJain offers two systems: IrriStand and
Amirit ( ELITE) These two systems are designed to provide a comprehensive solution of efficient management for modern onion production during all stages of crop development.
IRRISTAND SYSTEM
Irristand is a low-flow sprinkler system that simulates light rain. The IrriStand is based on
a flexible in-and-out, solid-set PE system. It is specifically designed to successfully meet onion
development requirements during all growth stages.
AMIRIT ( ELITE ) SYSTEM
Based on the IrriStand concept, the ELITE is a solidset system including 50 mm PE pipes with10–12 meter segments. Its main advantages are flexibility, portability and easy operation.
1/2’’ SPRINKLER RANGE FOR ELITE AND IRRISTAND
Super10
Compact ball-driven, sealed mechanism for spacing up to 12 m. Available with flow regulator.
5022 SD-U
Impact sprinkler for spacing up to 12 m. Reliable at lowpressure. Available with flow regulator.
5022 SD
The ultimate product for wide spacing (up to 14 m) provides maximum uniform coverage and close-in
watering. Provides higher resistance to windy conditions.
2005 AquaMaster
Micro-sprinkler for Irristand, designed to work at extremely low pressure. High water distribution
uniformity, with spacing up to 7 m.
DRIP IRRIGATION:
This is a localized irrigation method characterized by high water use efficiency and minimum humidification of the foliage, thereby reducing susceptibility to foliar diseases. Dripline is located between each 2 rows of plants, allowing water to reach all the plants. Drippers are spaced 20–30 cm apart in order to provide a uniform wetted stripe. Common dripper flow rates are 1-2 l/h or 3-5 l/h/meter for drip tapes.
Chapin
High-quality drip tape for seasonal use.
TalDrip
Thin &medium-walled dripline for maximum performance at minimum cost.
Naan PC
Heavy duty, pressure-compensating dripline for maximum accuracy in variable topography and long
laterals for multiple uses.
NaanDanJain is committed to finding the ideal solution for your onion crop, tailored to your local climatic
conditions, soil and water properties and budget. Contact our office or your local dealer for further information.
