How to Improve Onion Firmness
Firmness is a critical characteristic of onion crops, particularly in dry bulb onions which are stored for long periods.
Growers can influence bulb firmness by applying balanced nutrition.
Nitrogen influences onion firmness
Nitrogen plays an important role in bulb firmness. Potassium and calcium deficiencies can also lead to bulbs with lower densities.
Nitrogen can help to increase the specific weight of the outer skin, which results in an improvement of the bulb’s resistance to pressure, therefore reducing handling and storage damages. However, overall bulb firmness may decrease with high rates of nitrogen due to a softening of internal tissue.
Related articles
How to Improve Onion and Garlic Quality
Nutrition programmes based on crop nutrient needs are key to influencing both yield and quality.
How to Maximise Onion Dry Matter Content
The majority of onions and garlic crops are grown for the fresh market. Bulbs should be sufficiently dry for the intended purpose.
How to Manage Onion Taste and Pungency
Taste and pungency are key quality characteristics of the onion crop.
How to Improve Onion Skin Appearance and Condition
A uniform skin is a major element of onion appearance for the fresh market.
