How to Grow Onions for High Yield? The Latest Cultivation Techniques and Methods Tutorial
Onions are widely distributed in China, grown in both the south and the north, and the planting area is increasing year by year. They are one of the main vegetables currently cultivated and a health-promoting vegetable much loved by people. So how can onions achieve high yield? Let's take a look together.
1. Raising Strong Seedlings
Sowing and raising seedlings is best done in September to October. The seedling bed should be a sandy loam or new land that is loose and fertile, convenient for drainage and irrigation, and has not previously grown onions or garlic. Before sowing, the soil should be finely prepared and enough base fertilizer applied, then beds made and sowing carried out. Before sowing, soak the seeds in warm water for 24 hours, dry them, mix with soil and sow evenly. Generally, 70-75 grams are sown per mu. After sowing, cover with fine soil and then with weeds to prevent rain washing and direct strong sunlight. After covering with grass, apply a diluted manure water once. After the seedlings emerge, remove the weeds so as not to affect seedling emergence.
2. Transplanting
Onions should not be grown continuously, so the transplanting site should preferably have a previous crop of solanaceous fruits, melons and beans, or late-season rice, and is best a fertile, loose sandy loam or newly reclaimed land. For transplanting, use 25 kg of lime per mu to disinfect the soil, and apply 1500-2000 kg of decomposed farmyard manure as base fertilizer. Transplanting is generally done from mid-November to early December, so that the seedlings grow rapidly before frost and are not damaged by freezing. The transplanting spacing is generally 10-12 cm between plants and 14-16 cm between rows, with planting at a depth of 2-3 cm. Transplant 8000 plants per mu. After transplanting, water thoroughly to help them survive.
3. Fertilizer and Water Management
Generally, one week after transplanting, apply a thin human and livestock manure water once, then after 7-8 days apply burned soil or high-quality miscellaneous manure once more, to promote root development and enhance cold resistance. In winter, onions grow slowly, and fertilization can be paused at this time. When temperatures rise in spring, the underground bulbs enter the swelling stage, and 1-2 heavy fertilizer applications should be made, applying 10-12 kg of urea plus 5-6 kg of potassium sulfate per mu. By late March, when the bulbs swell rapidly, apply 1250 kg of decomposed human manure and urine per mu, and stop fertilizing 25 days before harvest. Onions like moisture but fear waterlogging. During the seedling stage, temperatures are relatively low, so water demand is low; just keep the soil moist. After temperatures rise, onions grow faster, and bulb growth and swelling require a large amount of water, so watering is needed. During the rainy season, clear the ditches in time to drain water and prevent waterlogging in the field.
4. Pest and Disease Control
Common onion diseases include soft rot and stem rot. The principle should be prevention first, with treatment as a supplement. Farmyard manure used must be fully decomposed to avoid bringing in pathogens and insect eggs. During the growing period, control nitrogen fertilizer to prevent excessive vegetative growth, and pay attention to a reasonable balance of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. During bulb formation, pay attention to timely drainage to avoid long-term waterlogging, which can have a huge impact on yield. When disease occurs, agricultural streptomycin and Fuxing emulsifiable concentrate can be sprayed alternately for control, with good results.
The above is an introduction to high-yield onion cultivation techniques. We hope it helps you. For more related knowledge, please keep following us.