Kharif Onion Production in India- Present Status and Future Potential: A Review

Abstract

Onion is one of the most important commercial crops in India which is used as a vegetable, spice and rich in medicinal properties. In India major onion producing states are Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Gujrat, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan. In South India onion is cultivated three times in a year as rabi, kharif and late kharif crop whereas, in North India it is generally cultivated as rabi crop. Major portion (60%) of onion produce comes from rabi season while kharif and late kharif crops contributes to a little extent (40%) in some parts of country. Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Rajasthan are major kharif onion producing states. Rabi onion is generally harvested in April-May whereas kharif onion and late kharif is harvested in the month of October-November and January-February, respectively. Major portion of rabi season produce is stored upto October month for domestic consumption. There is a critical gap in supply of onion from the months of October to December. Therefore, kharif onion plays an important role not only in fulfilling consumers demand but also in controlling market price of onion. So far kharif onion production in India is limited to three four states only and it should be prioritized in other states too by keeping in view its importance. Various research perspectives, challenges and management strategies involved in kharif onion production has been reviewed in this article.

Evaluation of the Off-season Production of Bulb Onion (Allium cepa L.) in Mongar

“…Although there was no significant difference (P >0.05) in yield in both stations, the Pink 1358 onion yield was lower compared to the Pune red at Lingmethang condition while there was no significant difference at Wengkhar condition. Similar results were also reported in the studies carried out on bulb onion varieties during the summer season in India (Sharma & Chauhan, 2022).…”

“…Other than the production season, good storage structures and additional varieties need to be explored that are suitable for both summer and winter productions which will give higher yield and has a good storage quality, so that the growers would have a choice of variety. Sharma & Chauhan, (2022) reported that the variety Agrifound Dark Red which is the popular and most cultivated variety in India is suitable for summer season production, and Khade, Gorrepati, & Thangasamy, (2017) reported that varieties such as Bhima Raj and Bhima Red can be grown in all the seasons. These varieties could be evaluated in the Bhutanese growing conditions to have a choice and suitable variety both for the summer and winter production of bulb onion in the country.…”

“…The harvest season coincides with the onset of the monsoon season and post-harvest losses due to high humidity and poor post-harvest management are high. Post-harvest losses are due to rotting, sprouting, physiological loss in weight, and moisture evaporation from bulbs which results in serious losses with more than 50 percent of the harvest depending upon the variety and the storage conditions (Sharma & Chauhan, 2022).…”

Post-harvest Storage Losses Study in Onion Genotypes

“…India produced 26.64 million tonnes of onion bulbs from 1.62 million hectare area in the year 2021-2022 [5]. The onion production in India is divided into three crop seasons: Kharif (October to December), late Kharif (January to March) and Rabi (April to May) [6]. Stored Rabi onion is used for domestic and export markets from June to October, making it essential for regular supply.…”