Clicky
National

Domestic onion production can be doubled

Successful research at KU


Published : 13 Apr 2021 09:32 PM

The size and weight of onion produced in our country is lesser than other verities. Generally the average weight is 20-50 grams. As a result the overall production is less. Researchers from the Soil, Water and Environment Discipline of Khulna University (KU) conducted a study on increasing the production of Faridpuri indigenous varieties of onion through soil, organic fertilizer and irrigation management recently.

This research work has recently been completed. On April 5, onions were picked from the research field and it was seen that the yield was as expected. The average size of the onion in this study plot is large and weighs 80-100 grams. Following this management, if farmers cultivate onions, it is possible to increase the current onion yield by 60 to 70 percent. As a result, the country can become self-sufficient in onion production.

The researcher of onion cultivation was Abdullah Al Nishan, a master's student of that discipline. In this regard, Md. Sanaul Islam, Professor of Soil, Water and Environment Discipline, supervisor of the research project, said that the demand for onion in our country is 2.4 million metric tons annually. The production is about 23 lakh 30 thousand metric tons.

The deficit including digestion is estimated at 8 lakh metric tons. Through soil, organic fertilizer and irrigation management, production in the country can increase up to 1 million tons. 

Besides, additional cultivation of 4-5 lakh tonnes of onion is possible if Agami and Nabi varieties of onion are cultivated on the same land. If awareness among farmers can be increased and farming methods can be improved, the country may soon be able to meet the demand and produce additional onions.

He will conduct research in the coastal saline Batiaghata-Dakop area this season next year. He added that 15 tons per hectare has been produced due to soil, fertilizer and irrigation management in the research plot. The average weight of each of the 40-50 percent onions produced was 80-90 grams.

He said the 26-day-old saplings were brought from Faridpur and planted on December 10 at the university's research ground. In the dry season (April-May) the salinity level of the research plot was 4 decisimens / m. The onion of the plot was picked on April 5. The study was conducted on 16 observation plots. Unexpected yield has been achieved by following proper seedling and row density, proper soil, fertilizer and irrigation management.