How can strong establishment and a uniform start can optimize final yield and quality in onions?

The potential yield of onions can be decreased by
50%
Due to poor establishment

Establishment is a key stage in onion growing. Indeed, this parameter is directly linked to final yield, and mastering control of establishment leads to homogeneous crop development.

What are the parameters that can negatively influence establishment, and what are the consequences?

A number of parameters influence establishment: soil parameters (soil type, moisture, temperature…), sowing density, weed competition, disease and pathogens, environmental conditions, nutrition, etc. The farmer’s agronomical practices need to be adapted taking all these parameters into account. This is measured firstly in terms of the survival rate on the plot. Indeed, if establishment is negatively impacted by any of the above parameters, this will have a direct effect on the number of plants harvested, and therefore on final yield. Moreover, onions have a very shallow root system. It is therefore necessary to ensure strong root development from the establishment, to guarantee optimal soil exploration, a key parameter to access nutrients available for absorption. Finally, onions require specific nutrients at different stages of growth. A healthy start ensures that young onion plants have access to essential nutrients, promoting robust root development and efficient nutrient uptake. This allows the plants to establish a strong foundation, resulting in better overall growth, bulb formation, yield and harvest quality.

Moreover, onions have a very shallow root system. It is therefore necessary to ensure good root development from the establishment, to guarantee optimal soil exploration, a key parameter to access nutrients available for absorption. Finally, onions require specific nutrients at different stages of growth. A healthy start ensures that young onion plants have access to essential nutrients, promoting robust root development and efficient nutrient uptake. This allows the plants to establish a strong foundation, resulting in better overall growth, bulb formation, yield and harvest quality.

It is therefore essential to secure establishment in onions to optimize the final yield and most uniform calibers for the commercial quality. TIMAC AGRO developed different solutions to support an optimal growth from early stages.

Nutrition through microgranules and biostimulation can play a beneficial role in the early stages of onion development by enhancing nutrient availability, root development, stress tolerance and nutrient use efficiency.

Contact your local TIMAC AGRO representative to learn which solutions can optimize your onions during their early stages of growth.