kenthefarmer
Lister
A well-structured fertilizer program is essential for high yields and quality bulb onions. The right nutrients at each growth stage ensure strong roots, healthy leaves, and well-developed bulbs. This guide outlines the best fertilizer applications from the nursery to harvest, explaining their roles and possible substitutions.
Nursery Bed Preparation
Some farmers prefer mixing fertilizers with soil and manure before sowing, but I prefer applying fertilizers after germination rather than mixing them before. This ensures seedlings take in nutrients efficiently and minimizes potential root burns.
Fertilizer Application (10 Days After Germination)
DAP or Yara Power P
Phosphorus foliar (above 40% )
Importance of Phosphorus in the Nursery:
Enhances root development, ensuring seedlings establish quickly.
Improves early vigor, reducing transplant shock.
Ensures strong nutrient uptake for future growth.
Hardening Seedlings (1-2 Weeks Before Transplanting)
Fertilizer Application:
Calcium Nitrate (foliar spray or drench)
Importance of Calcium:
Strengthens cell walls, making seedlings sturdier and resistant to diseases.
Improves tolerance to transplant stress.
Enhances uptake of other nutrients, especially nitrogen and potassium.
10 Days After Transplanting
Fertilizer Application:
DAP or Yara Power P
Phosphorus Foliar (Above 40% P)
Mix with Humic Acid.
Importance:
Phosphorus strengthens roots for better nutrient absorption.
Humic Acid enhances phosphorus availability and stabilizes soil pH, improving overall nutrient efficiency.
Foliar phosphorus ensures rapid absorption, especially in soils with poor phosphorus availability.
Vegetative Growth Stage (3-6 Weeks After Transplanting)
Fertilizer Application (Soil Application):
NPK 17:17:17 + sulfur based fertilizer eg Yara Sulfan (Mixed in a 1:1 Ratio)
Fertilizer Substitutes (Foliar Spray):
High-Nitrogen Foliar
Phosphorus Foliar (If needed)
Importance of Each Nutrient:
Nitrogen (N) promotes leaf and stem growth, ensuring a strong photosynthesis system.
Phosphorus (P) supports continued root expansion and early bulb formation.
Sulfur (S) enhances nutrient uptake, improves bulb color, and increases pungency in onions.
Tip: If you have Orthosilicic Acid, apply it every 10 days as a foliar spray. It strengthens plant cells, improves resistance to stress, and enhances nutrient uptake.
Final Top-Dressing (After 2 Months, When Small Bulbs Appear)
Fertilizer Application:
Blended Fertilizer with Potassium, Calcium, Boron, and Magnesium (e.g., Yara Winner plus Nitrabor)
Importance of Each Nutrient:
Potassium (K) enhances bulb firmness and improves storage quality.
Calcium (Ca) strengthens bulb structure, preventing splitting and rotting.
Boron (B) supports cell division, improving bulb uniformity.
Magnesium (Mg) ensures continued chlorophyll production and energy transfer.
Pre-Harvest (Two Weeks Before Harvesting)
Stop fertilization to allow onions to mature naturally.
Reduce irrigation to harden bulbs for better storage.
A proper fertilizer program ensures high yields and quality bulbs. By using the right combinations at each stage, you maximize nutrient efficiency while reducing wastage.
~village investor
Nursery Bed Preparation
Some farmers prefer mixing fertilizers with soil and manure before sowing, but I prefer applying fertilizers after germination rather than mixing them before. This ensures seedlings take in nutrients efficiently and minimizes potential root burns.
Fertilizer Application (10 Days After Germination)
DAP or Yara Power P
Phosphorus foliar (above 40% )
Importance of Phosphorus in the Nursery:
Enhances root development, ensuring seedlings establish quickly.
Improves early vigor, reducing transplant shock.
Ensures strong nutrient uptake for future growth.
Hardening Seedlings (1-2 Weeks Before Transplanting)
Fertilizer Application:
Calcium Nitrate (foliar spray or drench)
Importance of Calcium:
Strengthens cell walls, making seedlings sturdier and resistant to diseases.
Improves tolerance to transplant stress.
Enhances uptake of other nutrients, especially nitrogen and potassium.
10 Days After Transplanting
Fertilizer Application:
DAP or Yara Power P
Phosphorus Foliar (Above 40% P)
Mix with Humic Acid.
Importance:
Phosphorus strengthens roots for better nutrient absorption.
Humic Acid enhances phosphorus availability and stabilizes soil pH, improving overall nutrient efficiency.
Foliar phosphorus ensures rapid absorption, especially in soils with poor phosphorus availability.
Vegetative Growth Stage (3-6 Weeks After Transplanting)
Fertilizer Application (Soil Application):
NPK 17:17:17 + sulfur based fertilizer eg Yara Sulfan (Mixed in a 1:1 Ratio)
Fertilizer Substitutes (Foliar Spray):
High-Nitrogen Foliar
Phosphorus Foliar (If needed)
Importance of Each Nutrient:
Nitrogen (N) promotes leaf and stem growth, ensuring a strong photosynthesis system.
Phosphorus (P) supports continued root expansion and early bulb formation.
Sulfur (S) enhances nutrient uptake, improves bulb color, and increases pungency in onions.
Tip: If you have Orthosilicic Acid, apply it every 10 days as a foliar spray. It strengthens plant cells, improves resistance to stress, and enhances nutrient uptake.
Final Top-Dressing (After 2 Months, When Small Bulbs Appear)
Fertilizer Application:
Blended Fertilizer with Potassium, Calcium, Boron, and Magnesium (e.g., Yara Winner plus Nitrabor)
Importance of Each Nutrient:
Potassium (K) enhances bulb firmness and improves storage quality.
Calcium (Ca) strengthens bulb structure, preventing splitting and rotting.
Boron (B) supports cell division, improving bulb uniformity.
Magnesium (Mg) ensures continued chlorophyll production and energy transfer.
Pre-Harvest (Two Weeks Before Harvesting)
Stop fertilization to allow onions to mature naturally.
Reduce irrigation to harden bulbs for better storage.
A proper fertilizer program ensures high yields and quality bulbs. By using the right combinations at each stage, you maximize nutrient efficiency while reducing wastage.
~village investor
