Onion

Soil Preparation

Deep plough the field 2–3 times to make a fine seedbed.

Apply Farm Yard Manure (FYM): 3–4 tons per acre before final ploughing.

Soil should be well-drained, fertile, and rich in organic matter.

Optimum pH: 6.0–7.5.

Sowing Time

Region Nursery Sowing Transplanting
Punjab / Sindh October–November December–January
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa August–September October–November
Balochistan February–March April–May

Onion gives the best yield in moderate climate.

Nursery Management

Sow seeds on raised beds (1–1.5 cm deep).

Provide light irrigation daily until germination.

Seed treatment: Use Portible (Thiophanate Methyl) @ 2g/kg seed to prevent fungal diseases.

Seedlings are ready for transplanting after 40–45 days.

Field Transplanting

Row spacing: 9–12 inches (22–30 cm)

Plant spacing: 4–5 inches (10–12 cm)

Trim seedling roots to 1–2 inches before transplanting for better root establishment.

Transplant in the evening and irrigate immediately after transplanting.

Fertilizer Application

Fertilizer Quantity per Acre Time of Application
DAP (18:46:0) 1–1.5 bags (50–75 kg) At land preparation
Urea (46% N) 1 bag (50 kg) Half at transplanting, half at bulb formation
SOP (Sulphate of Potash) 1 bag (50 kg) At bulb initiation
Gypsum (if soil is saline) 1 bag During land preparation

Balanced fertilizer ensures large, firm bulbs and better storage quality.

Irrigation Management

First irrigation immediately after transplanting.

Subsequent irrigation every 7–10 days depending on weather.

Maintain moisture during bulb development.

Stop irrigation 15 days before harvest to harden bulbs for better storage.

Weed Management

Weed Damage Control Product
Bathu (Lambsquarters) Comes up with the crop in the cold weeks and takes the light and nitrogen from the thin onion leaves, so the bulbs stay small. Pendimethalin 33%EC
Onion Weed (Piazi) Germinates with the crop right after transplanting and takes the water and nitrogen from the shallow onion roots, so the bulbs run small. Pendimethalin 33%EC
Canary Grass (Dumbi Sitti) Germinates thick with the winter irrigations and takes the water and fertiliser before the shallow onion roots can reach it, so the crop bulbs late and light. Pendimethalin 33%EC
Purple Nutsedge (Deela) Onion casts no shade to smother it, so it takes nitrogen from between the bulbs all season and the crop sizes down. Hand weeding with the first hoeing 20 days after transplanting, repeated as needed
Dock (Jangli Palak / Krund) Takes the nitrogen and the light late in the season, right when the bulbs are swelling, so they finish small. Hoe between the rows and pull it before it seeds

First manual hoeing 20 days after transplanting, followed by 2–3 more as needed.

Chemical control:

Use Agritas Pendimethalin 33% EC @ 1 liter/acre as pre-emergence herbicide within 2–3 days after transplanting.

Pest & Disease Management

Problem Symptoms Recommended Control
Thrips Silvery streaks on leaves D-Pest 25% WP (Imidacloprid) spray
Leaf Miner Zigzag tunnels inside leaves Veento 1.9% EC (Emamectin Benzoate)
Downy Mildew Greyish patches on leaves Cure Jet 72% WP (Mancozeb + Cymoxanil)
Purple Blotch Purple-brown lesions on leaves Espot 50% SC (Azoxystrobin + Tebuconazole)
Onion Rot Bulbs rotting at base Vesant 80% (Sulphur 80%), improve drainage

Harvesting

Onion is ready for harvest in 120–150 days after transplanting.

Harvest when bulbs are fully formed and tops start bending or drying.

Sun-dry bulbs for 3–4 days before storage.

Store in a dry, ventilated place for longer shelf life.

For Product Support & Agronomic Advice

Agritas UAN: +92 336 1111 130

Pests & diseases of Onion

Thripsmedium Leaf Minerlow Cutwormmedium Purple Nutsedge (Deela)high Powdery Mildewmedium Downy Mildewmedium Damping Offhigh Purple Blotchhigh Zinc Deficiency (Khaira)medium Boron Deficiencymedium Nitrogen Deficiencymedium Phosphorus Deficiencymedium Micronutrient Deficiencymedium