Explore key techniques and best practices for successful onion cultivation in horticulture. This easy quiz covers soil preparation, planting methods, irrigation, and common issues in growing healthy onions.
Which type of soil is considered most suitable for cultivating onions in horticulture?
Explanation: Well-drained sandy loam soil ensures good aeration and prevents waterlogging, which is ideal for onion growth. Heavy clay retains too much water, acidic peat can cause nutrient imbalance, and waterlogged silt leads to bulb rot and poor development.
When planting onion sets, how deep should you generally place them in the soil?
Explanation: Onion sets should be planted about 2-3 cm deep to encourage good rooting while avoiding rot. Planting too deep (10 or 15 cm) hinders growth, and leaving them on the surface exposes the sets and can cause drying or poor establishment.
How many hours of direct sunlight per day do onions typically require for optimal growth?
Explanation: Onions generally thrive with 6-8 hours of direct sunlight, which supports healthy photosynthesis. Only 1-2 hours or less is insufficient, and while onions are day-length sensitive, 12-16 hours is usually unnecessary and may not suit most varieties.
Which pest is most commonly associated with damaging onion crops by attacking their bulbs and roots?
Explanation: The onion maggot targets onion bulbs and roots and is a well-known pest in onion fields. Aphids typically infest leaves, cabbage loopers focus on leafy vegetables, and Colorado potato beetles attack plants in the potato family.
For most onion varieties, what is the recommended spacing between individual plants to ensure healthy bulb development?
Explanation: Spacing onion plants 10-15 cm apart allows adequate room for each bulb to grow. Narrower spacing such as 2-3 cm leads to crowding and smaller bulbs, while 25-30 cm or 50 cm is unnecessarily wide and wastes space.