Discover key facts about optimal sowing seasons and practices for successful onion cultivation in horticulture. Ideal for beginners or anyone looking to boost their agricultural know-how.
Which season is generally considered most suitable for sowing onions in most parts of India?
Explanation: Rabi (winter) season is preferred for onion sowing in India as the cool temperatures promote bulb development and good yield. Monsoon season can cause excess moisture, leading to disease. Summer and autumn seasons often have temperatures that are too extreme for effective onion establishment.
For proper onion seed germination, at what temperature range should the soil ideally be maintained?
Explanation: Onion seeds germinate best at soil temperatures of 15–25°C, supporting strong, healthy growth. 30–40°C and 40–50°C are too high and can hinder germination, while 5–10°C is too low and will delay or reduce seed sprouting.
Why is day length important in determining the optimal onion sowing period?
Explanation: Onions are photoperiod-sensitive; bulbing is triggered mainly by day length. Sowing at the wrong time can result in poor bulb formation. Fungal infections, seed dormancy, and soil erosion are not directly influenced by day length in onions.
What is the recommended seed rate per hectare for onion cultivation using direct sowing?
Explanation: For direct sowing, 8–10 kg of onion seed per hectare achieves optimal plant populations. Using 20–25 kg or 15–18 kg is excessive and wasteful, while 2–3 kg is insufficient for good coverage.
At what depth should onion seeds be sown to ensure healthy emergence and seedling establishment?
Explanation: Sowing onion seeds 1–2 cm deep provides good soil contact and enables successful emergence. Deeper sowing (4–7 cm) can restrict or delay sprouting, as small seeds require less soil cover.