The National Horticultural Research and Development Foundation, Nashik, has developed a new onion variety named NHRDF-RED-2 ideal for growing in different parts of North India.
The variety is accepted by farmers because of its higher yield, better adaptability and storage performance.
The crop matures in 100-120 days after transplanting and keeping quality is good.
Average yield is 30-40 tonnes per hectare and presently about some tonnes of seed material are available at the foundation.
Climatic conditions
It grows well in mild climate. The seed is generally sown in raised nursery beds.
The surface of beds should be smooth and well levelled. October-November is the best time for seed sowing. About 7-8 kg of seed is sufficient for a hectare.
Application of 20-25 tonnes of FYM/ha in soil is considered adequate.
FYM should be applied one month before transplanting or sowing and mixed well in the soil.
Whole quantity of phosphorus, potash and half of nitrogen should be mixed in the soil before transplanting. Rest half doses of nitrogen should be given as top dressing in two equal split doses, first dose should be applied at 30 days after transplanting whereas second dose at 45 days after transplanting.
Ideal planting time
The best time of transplanting in Northern India is end of December to first week of January. Planting the crop at 15x10 cm spacing is considered to be the best.
Disease and infestations can be controlled by spraying fungicides such as mancozeb at 0.25 per cent or chlorothalonil at 0.2 per cent or Iprodion at 0.25 per cent at fortnightly interval.
For insect pest like thrips spraying metasystox at 0.1 per cent and cypermethrin at 0.01 per cent along with triton or sandovit is found effective.
The variety is ideal for growing in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Bihar and Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
(R P Gupta, Director & R K Singh, Assistant Director, National Horticultural Research and Development Foundation, Chitegaon Phata Sangavi, Niphad, phone:02550- 237551, 237816 and E-mail: >nhrdf_nsk@sancharnet.in , website >www.nhrdf.com , Nashik 422 003 Maharashtra)
