For the most successful onion crop, you must follow proper onion planting tips. This includes regular watering, ensuring that the soil is kept near field capacity, and protecting young plants from weeds. Watering is also essential for onions, as they have a shallow root system. Lastly, you need to stop watering the onions once the tops begin to fall over. Excess watering will delay curing and affect storage.

Inoculating the soil with mycorrhizae

One of the most effective practices for boosting the growth of an onion crop is inoculating the soil with mycorrheic fungi. This beneficial microorganisms help the plant to absorb nutrients from the soil. In a recent study, two types of mycorrhizal fungi were used to inoculate soil. Azotobacter chroococcum and Glomus mosseae were applied to the soil to enhance their mutual relationship and improve plant growth.

Inoculation of soil with mycorrhizal fungi has been shown to increase onion yield and quality. Two mycorrhizal fungi, Glomus mosseas and Azotobacter chroococcum, significantly increased onion growth and N and P uptake. Furthermore, these fungi are synergistic, so they increase the crop’s productivity and quality.

Mycorrhizal fungi have the ability to colonize roots and form a biological link between the plant and the soil. They are able to absorb water and conduct nutrients back to the plant’s root. They can also change the composition of soil microbes. Moreover, they alter plant physiology and affect the growth of the plant.

Fertilizing

Fertilizing your onions is critical to their growth and success. Onions are heavy feeders and need plenty of nitrogen-rich plant food. Once you have planted your onions, you should apply one to two tablespoons of nitrogen-based fertilizer every two weeks. If you have alkaline soil, you should apply ammonium sulfate, while those with acidic soil should apply calcium nitrate. Also, be sure to water onions right after fertilizing them. This will help keep the soil moist and encourage bulb development.

Another way to fertilize your onions is to add compost to the soil. This will increase the number of onions you can harvest and will help them reach their full potential. To make compost, you can mix food waste and yard debris, and add it to your soil. This is an inexpensive, natural fertilizer that will work wonders for your onion patch. Additionally, it is an excellent source of nitrogen, potassium, and trace elements.

The right fertilizer will help onions grow to their full potential. Using the proper amount of fertilizer will help your onions grow bigger and produce more bulbs. As a bonus, you can save money on fertilizer and eliminate chemical waste. Onions are biennial bulbs, related to chives, shallots, and garlic plants. Their roots are shallow and will not reach deep soil layers.

Protecting young plants from weeds

Protecting young onion plants from weeds is a common task that is vital to their healthy growth. Weeds are most likely to infest the growing area in the first few weeks after planting. It is important to pull weeds manually, and use mulch to prevent their growth.

Weeds will defoliate and stunt the growth of your onion plants. To protect them, apply a weedicide that is registered for onions. Several herbicides can be used, but they must be applied as soon as possible to ensure complete control of weeds. However, it is important to follow instructions on label labels to ensure that the herbicide is not harmful to your young onion plants.

Onion plants are susceptible to several diseases. Two of them are blight and purple blotch. Blight causes leaves to turn pale green or yellow. It can spread very quickly and is highly destructive. Onions should be covered with a layer of mulch or fabric to protect them from harsh weather conditions. This layer will also protect them from wind.

Common problems with growing onions

There are a number of common problems with growing onions, but there are also some ways to avoid them. You can mulch your onions before planting them, and during the hot summer months, make sure that you provide extra water. In addition, you should watch out for bolting, which happens when onion bulbs start popping out of the soil. This can make the onion neck rot, which prevents proper storage after harvest.

Regardless of the soil that you use, you should always water your onions once every 14 days. However, you should stop watering them completely once they have swollen. Overhead watering can promote fungal diseases and can also damage storage. You should also keep the weeds out of the area around your onions, as they can strangle them and crowd them out. Fertilising your plants with a high-nitrogen fertilizer is also a good idea.

Lastly, you must make sure that your soil’s pH is in the right range. If it’s too acidic, you should consider raising the pH level. It may take several treatments to get the right balance. Onions are susceptible to yellowing due to a fungal disease called onion white rot. A normal crop rotation cannot protect them from this disease. In addition, fungi can be transferred to your crops from soil by stepping on the ground or using gardening tools.