How to influence onion bulb number
The number of onions produced is influenced mainly by 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 to provide maximum yields of a desired bulb size. A balanced crop nutrition is important to help to reach yield potentials.
Nitrogen
Nitrogen is one of the most important nutrients required for high onion yields. Onions are known as gross feeders and crops can remove 2-3 kg of nitrogen for every ton harvested.
Calcium Nitrate
Studies with calcium nitrate confirm this is one of the most effective forms for high yields.
Potassium
Potassium is important for high yields in onion crops.
It is the second most utilised nutrient and uptake peaks during bulb formation and enlargement. However, care has to be taken as over-application can lead to yield reductions.
Recommended Yara fertilisers for onions
Related articles
Onion crop nutrition programme
Yara's fertiliser recommendations and crop nutrition programmes for onions can help you to achieve excellent crop performance and maximise the yield and quality of all allium crops.
How to increase onion bulb weight
A balanced crop nutrition program can help to improve overall yield by increasing onion bulbs weight.
How to increase onion bulb size
Onion bulb size is mostly influenced by planting density, however good crop nutrition, particularly nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur are essential to achieve good onion bulb size.
How to improve onion quality
Nutrition programmes based on crop nutrient needs are key to influencing dry matter content, firmness and storability as well as taste and pungency, all important factors in determining the quality of onion crops.
Onion nutrient deficiencies
Identify and diagnose if your onions are suffering from nutrient deficiencies and learn more about the symptoms and causes and how to control or correct the deficiency
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