Studies show that nitrogen has a positive effect on onion skin quality by increasing the specific weight of the outer skin. This is a very important factor for storage.
Improving Onion Skin Appearance and Condition
An uniform skin is a major element of onions appearance for the fresh market. In addition, the strength of the onion and garlic skin is important to help keeping diseases and storage problems away. Skin cracking can be a result of poor soil moisture. A balanced nutrition program is also essential to ensure the overall skin quality of onions and garlic crops meet market demands.
Crop Nutrition and Onion Skin Appearance and Condition
Nitrogen
Calcium
Research shows that good nutrition with calcium nitrate will also increase quercetine concentrations within onion bulbs. Quercetine is a yellow pigment that improves the color intensity of the skin and the storage properties of the onion.
It is an antioxidant and helps improving human health through decreasing cholesterol levels, controlling blood pressure and increasing tolerance to certain allergies. Calcium deficiency lead to onion bulbs with of low density and reduced quality, and have softer skins.
Copper
Adequate supplies of copper are important for bulb skin and onion scale development, as a result of the element’s role in lignin production. Trials show that copper can enhance skin color.
Recommended Yara Fertilizers for Onions
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YaraMila COMPLEX
12-4.8-14.9 + 8% S - Prilled NPK fertilizer which also contains magnesium and sulphur as well as micronutrients ideal for use on a wide range of arable and horticultural crops.
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YaraLiva TROPICOTE
15.5% N + 18.8% Ca - Granular calcium nitrate fertilizer for field application to a wide range of crops.
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MAINCROP S
14-5.7-17.4 + 2.2% S - A quality size matched NPK plus S size matched blended fertilizer, ideal for use for potato production due to the ratio in the of N P and K whilst including a useful amount of sulphur.
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STARTER SOLUTION PLUS
A liquid fertilizer for placement which aids rapid crop establishment, promotes efficient utilization of phosphate and improves phosphate availability.
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YaraVita BORTRAC 150
A liquid micronutrient fertilizer containing 150 g/l boron for foliar application to provide additional boron or to treat boron deficiencies in a wide range of crops.
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YaraVita BRASSITREL PRO
A flowable liquid suspension fertilizer with a combination of micronutrients including manganese, magnesium, boron and molybdenum for foliar application to oilseed rape, brassicas and legumes.