With onion prices shooting through the roof, homemakers in Kerala have cutting down on its use.
Kerala, a consumer State, has to depend on onion supply form neighbouring States. Moreover, the local soil is anything but suitable for onion cultivation.
However, good news is that Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) has developed onion varieties suited to the State’s ago-climatic conditions. The sustained research effort of the KAU has made cultivation of onion in Kerala homesteads possible.
Research and farm trials conducted over the past four years by scientists at the Thrissur Krishi Vigyan Kendra under the KAU have identified the varieties and finalised farming practices suitable for the State’s agro-climatic conditions, said Ranjan S. Karippai, Head, Thrissur KVK.
Onion cultivation practices thus formulated have also been recommended to be included in the ‘package of practices recommendations’ published by the KAU.
“The trials to assess the performance of onion in the plains of Kerala were initiated by the Thrissur KVK in 2011. The initial trials identified Agri Found Dark Red and Arka Kalyan as the best suitable varieties for the plains,” Dr. Karippai said.
Consequently, these varieties were promoted in other parts of the State as well by different KVKs.
Later, screening trials in 2013-14 found that varieties such as Agri found Light Red, Bhima Sakthi, Bhima Super among the red type and Agri found White and Bhima Subra among the white type wee also suitable for Kerala conditions. “We collected seeds for the trials from the Directorate of Onion and Garlic Research, Pune, National Horticulture Research and Development Foundation, Coimbatore, and the Indian Institute of Horticulture and Research, Bangalore. Nearly 20 varieties cultivated in different parts of the country were screened for adaptability,” Dr Karippai said.
Horticulturist Jalaja S. Menon, who piloted the project, said around 30 gm seeds or 1,000-1,500 seedlings weres required for cultivation in one cent, which would give a yield of 35-40 kg.
While the KVK is preparing to extend its knowhow to all blocks of Thrissur district, it is also ready to share the updated farming practices with farmers across the State with the support of the Agriculture Department.
* KAU develops onion varieties suitable for State’s climatic conditions
* Agri found Light Red, Bhima Sakthi, Bhima Super are suitable red varieties
* Agri found White’ and â€~Bhima Subra’ are the suitable white types
