Did you know onions, scientifically known as Allium cepa, have been grown for over 7,000 years? These versatile veggies, part of the Allium family, are loved for their white, red, or yellow bulbs. But what's the best way to harvest and store them to keep their flavor and yield? Let's explore the top methods for managing your Allium cepa crop.
Introduction to Allium cepa
Allium cepa, also known as the onion plant, is a biennial in the allium family. These plants grow best in neutral, sandy soil with lots of organic matter. They can be grown from seeds, sets, or transplants and need about 1 inch of water a week.
In 2020/2021, Ethiopia grew onions on about 38,952.58 hectares, producing around 3,460,480.88 tons. But the yield of 8.8 tons per hectare is lower than the world average. Researchers have found five onion types in Ethiopia, like Adama Red and Bombay Red.
The Nafis variety is known for its high yields, reaching 34.44 tons per hectare. Plants should be spaced 10 cm apart, as studies suggest. The Monarch variety, grown without irrigation, produces about 32.76 tons per hectare.
Onion Harvesting Techniques
When Allium cepa, or onion plants, grow up, their tops fall over. This means it's time to harvest them. Farmers say to wait about a week after all the tops turn brown and fall down. This makes sure the bulbs are fully grown and ready for storage.
To harvest, dig up the onion bulbs carefully so you don't hurt them. After harvesting, put the onions in a warm, dry place with good air flow, like a greenhouse or shed. Keep them there for 3 weeks to cure. This curing makes the outer skins dry and tough, which protects the onions when stored for a long time.
After curing, trim the onion necks and roots. Then, sort the onions into three groups: some for now, some for later, and some to use soon. Sorting helps make the most of your onion harvest.
| Onion Harvesting and Curing | Details |
|---|---|
| Onion Maturity Indicator | Tops fall over and turn brown |
| Recommended Waiting Period Before Lifting | 1-2 weeks after tops fall over |
| Curing Period | 3 weeks in warm, dry, well-ventilated area |
| Post-Curing Process | Trim necks and roots, sort into 3 categories |
By using these onion harvesting methods, farmers can make sure their onion crop is cured and trimmed right. This helps them store and use the onions better.
Storing Mature Onion Bulbs
Storing onions right is key to keeping them fresh and tasty. To keep onions in top shape, follow the right steps for onion curing and onion storage conditions.
After picking, let onions cure for at least two weeks. Some types need even longer. Curing forms a protective skin, vital for keeping onions fresh.
For curing, use a warm, dry spot with good air flow. Keep the temperature between 60°F and 90°F.
After curing, store onions in a cool, dry place with good air flow. Don't keep them in the 45°F to 55°F range, as they might sprout. Use mesh bags or lay them out thinly to let air in and stop rot.
With the right onion storage methods, cured onions can last up to 8 months. How long they last depends on the type. Sweet onions are good for 1-3 months, while storage onions can last 3-9 months.
| Onion Variety | Storage Duration |
|---|---|
| Sweet Onions | 1-3 months |
| Storage Onions | 3-9 months |
By curing and storing onions correctly, you can keep them fresh and tasty for a long time. This way, you can use them in many dishes.
Common Diseases and Pests
Onions face many diseases and pests that can hurt their quality and yield. Growers often deal with botrytis neck rot, fusarium basal rot, onion white rot, and mold. Onion maggots and nematodes are pests that can harm onion crops too.
Weather affects onion diseases a lot. Dry weather slows down disease spread. But, warm and moist weather is good for purple blotch. Near harvest, cool and moist conditions can lead to botrytis and downy mildew.
Keeping onions healthy is key. This means rotating crops, keeping the area clean, managing weeds, using disease-free seeds, and applying fungicides when needed. Rotating crops every three to four years with non-Allium plants helps prevent diseases in the soil.
| Common Onion Diseases | Causes and Management |
|---|---|
| Botrytis Neck Rot | Caused by the fungus Botrytis allii, it spreads through infected debris and damp storage. Proper curing and storage can reduce the risk. |
| Fusarium Basal Rot | This fungal disease affects the onion's base and roots. Rotating crops and using resistant onions helps manage it. |
| Onion White Rot | A severe fungal disease that stays in soil for years. Avoiding infected soil for eight years is crucial. |
Onions can also face pests like the onion maggot and Allium leaf miner. Using resistant onions, keeping the area clean, and applying insecticides can help control these pests.
Knowing about onion diseases and onion pests helps growers keep their onions healthy and productive. By using the right onion disease management strategies, growers can improve their crops.
Mature Onion Plant Uses
The onion plant, Allium cepa, has been grown for over 7,000 years. It's used in many ways, not just for its bulbs. The green stems, leaves, and small bulbils from top-setting onions are also great for cooking.
The green stems and leaves can be used as scallions or chives. They add a light onion taste to dishes. The small, red-purple bulbils can be pickled for a crunchy, tangy snack. And the mature onion bulbs are perfect for soups, stews, roasted dishes, and salads.
Onions are also used in traditional medicine. They help treat colds, earaches, burns, and warts. The flowers and leaves are even used for decoration.
| Onion Plant Part | Culinary Uses |
|---|---|
| Bulb | Soups, stews, roasted dishes, salads |
| Stems and Leaves | Scallions, chives |
| Bulbils | Pickles |
The mature onion plant has many uses, from cooking to traditional medicine. Its wide popularity and adaptability make it a key crop worldwide.
Harvesting and Storing Other Alliums
The article mainly talked about the common onion, Allium cepa. But, the Allium family also includes garlic, shallots, and leeks. These plants need similar care when it comes to harvesting and storing. Knowing how to handle them ensures a good harvest and keeps them fresh longer.
Garlic (Allium sativum)
Garlic loves well-drained, rich soil. It's planted in the fall and picked in the summer. To harvest garlic, wait for the leaves to turn yellow and the tops to fall over, usually in mid-summer. Then, dry the bulbs in a warm, dry spot for at least two weeks before storing them.
Shallots (Allium ascalonicum)
Shallots are a bit delicate and need careful picking and storing. Harvest them when the leaves start to turn yellow and the necks get soft, in late spring or early summer. After picking, cure shallots in a warm, dry spot for 2-3 weeks before storing them in a cool, dark place.
Leeks (Allium ampeloprasum)
Leeks are versatile and can be picked all season. The best time to pick them is when they're thick and the leaves are still green, usually in the fall. To store leeks, trim the roots and leaves, and keep them in a cool, moist spot, like a fridge or cellar.
| Allium Variety | Planting Time | Harvest Time | Storage Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garlic (Allium sativum) | Fall | Mid-Summer | Warm, dry place for 2+ weeks |
| Shallots (Allium ascalonicum) | Spring | Late Spring/Early Summer | Warm, dry place for 2-3 weeks |
| Leeks (Allium ampeloprasum) | Spring | Fall | Cool, moist environment |
By learning how to harvest and store different Alliums, gardeners and farmers can enjoy these tasty bulbs all year round.
Regional Variations in Harvesting
Onion harvesting and storage change a lot across the United States. This is due to climate, soil, and growing seasons. The way onions are harvested and cured affects their quality and how long they last.
In the Northeast, farmers plant 75,000 to 120,000 onions per acre in single rows. This area grew over 8,000 acres of onions on more than 3,000 farms in 2017. They use 60-80-80 pounds per acre of nutrients or 120-160-160 pounds per acre before planting.
| Cultivar | Days to Maturity | Color | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stuttgarter | 110-120 | Yellow | Storage |
| Copra | 100-110 | Yellow | Storage |
| Red Burger | 100-110 | Red | Storage |
| White Sweet Spanish | 110-120 | White | Sweet |
The Vidalia onion industry in the southeast has grown a lot since the 1970s. It now covers over 12,000 acres thanks to controlled atmosphere storage. Growers in this area must manage the climate to grow different types of onions.
Conclusion
This article has given a full guide on how to harvest and store mature Allium cepa, or common onion, plants. By using the best methods for curing, trimming, and storing onion bulbs, gardeners and small farmers can get the most from their onion vegetables. This way, they can enjoy these versatile, long-lasting onions all year.
Knowing how onion harvesting and storage work is key. It's important to pick the right varieties at the best time and cure and store the bulbs well. This ensures big, top-quality onion crops. By using the tips from this article, gardeners can have a great onion harvest and use their onion crops all year.
The onion harvesting and storage tips here can make this vegetable more valuable for cooks, chefs, and producers. With the right knowledge and steps, Allium cepa stays a key ingredient in many dishes. It also becomes a valuable part of any garden or farm.
