Balanced fertilization onion high yield
Onion is a versatile, spicy leafy vegetable that offers a balanced nutritional profile and is highly resilient during storage and transport. Its low production costs make it an economically valuable crop with significant social and environmental benefits. Anhui Province plays a key role in China's onion production, particularly in the cultivation of Welsh onions. Since 2000, researchers from the Soil Fertility Research Institute of the Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences have been working on promoting balanced fertilization techniques in Xiangyang City, one of the major growing areas for Welsh onions, achieving remarkable progress.
High-yield onion cultivation can reach 5,000 to 6,000 kg per acre. However, such high yields require more nutrients. For every 1,000 kg of green onions produced, about 2.7 to 3.3 kg of pure nitrogen, 0.5 to 0.6 kg of phosphorus pentoxide, and 3.3 to 4.0 kg of potassium oxide are needed. The nitrogen-to-phosphorus-to-potassium ratio is approximately 1:0.4:1.3, making onions especially sensitive to nitrogen and potassium levels. In the agricultural practices of the Huaibei Plain, excessive use of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers often leads to neglect of potassium application. This has caused a sharp decline in available potassium levels, disrupting the nutrient balance and leading to increased disease and pest problems, lower yields, and poor quality. Potassium application not only promotes growth but also enhances resistance to diseases and pests. A lack of potassium can result in stunted growth, shorter plants, and reduced yields.
Research conducted by the China-Canada Cooperative Balanced Fertilization Program, led by the Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, shows that balanced fertilization significantly boosts yield and improves the quality of Welsh onions. It increases vitamin C and soluble sugar content while reducing harmful substances like nitrates. Field trials revealed that applying potash fertilizer increased onion production by 22.3% to 28.2%, vitamin C by 7.20% to 16.0%, soluble sugar by 15.5% to 12.7%, and reduced nitrate levels by 22.6% to 26.5%. Farmers saw an increase in income by 1,690 to 2,000 yuan, with a cost-benefit ratio of up to 72.42:1 and 40.67:1. Over the past three years, in Linquan County, the promotion of balanced fertilization centered around potash has covered over 35,000 mu, resulting in an average yield increase of 20%.
The balanced fertilization technique for onions is simple and practical. On plots with moderate fertility, apply 20–25 kg of pure nitrogen, 6–8 kg of phosphorus pentoxide, and 20–30 kg of potassium oxide per acre. This translates to approximately 40–55 kg of urea, 50–65 kg of general calcium phosphate (with 12% effective phosphorus), and 35–50 kg of potassium chloride (with 60% potassium). Adjustments may be made depending on soil fertility and organic matter levels—higher rates for low fertility soils and lower rates for well-fertilized soils.
Fertilization method: Before sowing, mix 20% of the nitrogen and potassium fertilizers with all the phosphorus fertilizer as base fertilizer, and thoroughly incorporate it into the soil. The remaining 80% of nitrogen and potassium should be applied as topdressing in two stages, typically in mid-September and mid-October. This approach ensures optimal nutrient availability throughout the growing season, supporting robust plant development and maximizing yield and quality.
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