Bulb crops

Onion (Allium cepa)

• Family: Alliaceae
• Origin: Central Asia
• Chromosome No.: 2n = 16
• Inflorescence: Umbel
• Flower Colour: White or bluish
• Pollination: Cross-pollinated (due to protandry)
• Pollinating Agent: Honey bees
• Anthesis: 5 AM to 9 AM

India’s Status

• 2nd in area & production (after China)
• 3rd in export globally (12% share)
• Maharashtra: Leading state (23.4% area, 27.5% production)
• Lasalgaon (Maharashtra): Asia’s biggest onion market

Environmental Conditions

• Bulb development: 20–25°C
• Seed production: Temperature more important
• Bulb production: Day length more important
• Day length: Long days promote bulbing
• Zn application (1–3 ppm): Enhances yield and quality

Types of Onions

• Tree Onion: Allium cepa var. viviparum
• Multiplier Onion: Allium cepa var. aggregatum

Varieties of Onion

• Pusa Red, Pusa Ratnar, Pusa White Round, Pusa White Flat (Best for dehydration) N-53, Nasik Red, Patna Red, Arka Pragati, Arka Niketan, Arka Kalyan, Arka Bindu, Agrifound Dark Red, Bangalore Rose
• Hybrid Varieties: Arka Pitambar (White × Red). Arka Kirtiman. Arka Lalima

Other Notes:

• Purple blotch resistant: Arka Kalyan, Nasik Red
• Export-suitable: Arka Bindu, Agrifound Rose
• Selfing Variety: Pusa Madhvi
• Male Sterile Lines: Isolated in Pusa Red

Garlic (Allium sativum)

• Family: Alliaceae
• Origin: Central Asia
• Pollination: Sexually sterile diploid
• Reproduction: Vegetative (clove)
• Photoperiod: Short-day crop (grown in winter only)
• Day Length Critical for Bulbing: 12 hours
• Longer Day = Higher Yield
• Climatic Tolerance: Frost-hardy crop
• Harvesting Time: March–April
• Curing: Removes excess moisture after harvest

• Key Compounds: Allicin – Antibacterial property. Alliin – Water-soluble amino acid
• Bulb Quality for Export: Diameter: 40–60 mm. Cloves/Bulb: 10–15

Important Varieties:

• Godavari
• Sweta
• Agrifound White (G-41) – TSS ~41%
• Yamuna Safed – TSS 38–40%
• Agrifound Parvati – Long-day type, large cloves, for hills only
• G-282 – Earliest maturing, large cloves, export-suitable

Fertilization: Borax @ 10 kg/ha improves bulb size and yield

Quick Facts Summary: