Table of Contents
Introduction
Onions are an essential ingredient in almost every Indian kitchen, known for their rich flavor and versatility. Onions are typically grown for their bulbs, but even their flowering shoots, known as scapes, are used as vegetables. Rich in essential nutrients like phosphorus, calcium, Vitamin C, and carbohydrates, onions are not just flavorful; they’re also nutritious.
What may come as a surprise is how simple it can be to grow onions at home or on the farm. This step-by-step guide will walk you through the entire process, from selecting the right onion seeds to sowing, planting, and harvesting. Read on to discover how to grow onions in just 7 easy steps.
Step 1: Climate, Soil, and Season for Sowing Onion Seeds
Climate for Onion Cultivation
Onion is best suited as a tropical crop and is mainly grown as a cool-season vegetable. It thrives in mild climates without extreme heat, cold, or excessive rainfall. A relatively high temperature along with a long photoperiod ideally 15.6°C to 21.1°C for about 10 hours a day with around 80% relative humidity is essential for proper bulb formation.
Soil for Onion Cultivation
Onion grows best in light soils, such as sandy loam or silt loam. Heavier soils should be avoided as they hinder proper growth. The ideal soil pH ranges between 5.8 and 6.5, as onions are sensitive to high acidity. Additionally, soils with poor drainage are not suitable for onion cultivation.
Season for Onion Cultivation
Onions are sown in different seasons across various regions of India. In southern states like Tamil Nadu, sowing is done from June to October. In central India, it typically occurs between October and January. In northern India, onions are mostly cultivated as a rabi crop, with sowing taking place in November.
Step 2: Selecting the Right Onion Variety
Various factors such as climate, colour, shape, region, and season need to be considered while selecting an onion variety. For your convenience, a few popular onion varieties are listed below.
Step 3: Procuring Quality Onion Seeds
For successful onion farming, selecting high-quality seeds is essential. Even with the best cultivation practices, poor-quality seeds can result in low yields and weak plant health. Looking for the best onion seeds? Desi Kheti offers a wide range of premium onion seeds tailored to your farming needs. Browse our collection, place your order online, and get it delivered right to your doorstep.
Step 4: Land Preparation for Sowing Onion Seeds
Proper land preparation is essential for healthy onion growth. The soil should be ploughed 4 to 5 times to achieve a fine tilth. After this, the land should be levelled to prevent waterlogging. Apply around 25 tonnes of FYM (Farmyard Manure) per hectare during the final ploughing.
Step 5: Sowing Onion Seeds
Seed Rate: On average, around 3 kg of seeds are required per acre of land.
Seed Treatment: Onion seeds sold by private companies are usually pre-treated with chemicals. However, if the seeds are not pre-treated, they should be treated with chemicals such as Thiram at the rate of 2 g per kg of seeds.
Ridges and furrows or raised beds can be prepared in the field. Depending on preference, either onion seeds or bulbs can be sown. Seeds can be sown directly or first raised in a nursery. In the nursery method, 6 to 8-week-old seedlings, about 15 cm in height, can be transplanted later. A spacing of 20 x 10 cm is generally followed.
In the case of bulbs, those with a diameter of about ½ inch should be dibbled on one side of the ridge or in flat beds. A spacing of approximately 30 x 10 cm can be followed.
Step 6: Care After Sowing Onion Seeds
Irrigation
Onion crops require 14–18 irrigations from planting to harvest, depending on the season. Proper watering is especially crucial during the bulb formation stage (70–75 days after planting) to ensure healthy growth. Water scarcity at this stage can lead to bulb cracking and reduced yields. Maintaining consistent soil moisture through timely irrigation helps produce high-quality onions.
Weed Management
Onion plants grow slowly during the initial stages, so effective weed management is essential. One weeding can be done around 30 to 45 days after transplanting the onion seedlings. Since onions have shallow roots, care should be taken not to damage them during weeding.
Step 7: Harvesting Onion
Onions can be harvested as green bunch onions when the plants reach the thickness of a pencil. These are used directly as vegetables. For bulb onions, harvesting is typically done about 4 months after planting.
A well-matured bulb is ready for harvest when the tops start drooping just above the bulb, while the leaves are still green. Other signs of maturity include the outer scales becoming loose and developing proper coloration, indicating maturity.
After harvesting, the bulbs need to be kept under shade for about 4 days for curing. This process helps dry the outer layers, improves shelf life, and ensures better storage.
Common FAQs Related to Onion Seed Sowing
Q. What climate is best for growing onions?
A. Onions grow best in mild climates without extreme heat, cold, or heavy rainfall. A temperature range of 15.6°C to 21.1°C with long daylight hours and moderate humidity is ideal, especially during bulb formation.
Q. Which soil is best for growing onions?
A. Onions prefer light, well-drained soils such as sandy loam or silt loam, with a pH between 5.8 and 6.5. Avoid heavy or waterlogged soils.
Q. What is the seed rate of onion per acre?
A. On average, about 3 kg of onion seeds are required per acre, depending on the variety and method of sowing.
Q. What is the scientific name of onion?
A. The scientific name of onion is Allium cepa.
