Onions are an essential vegetable used in many dishes globally. Like other crops, onions require several nutrients to grow healthily, including macronutrients and micronutrients. Although micronutrients are required in small amounts, they play a significant role in producing robust and high-quality onions.
Micronutrients are nutrients required in small quantities by plants, with critical functions in several metabolic processes. These nutrients include zinc, boron, iron, molybdenum, copper, manganese, and chlorine. The micronutrients function by maintaining the plant’s optimal growth and yield, improving the plant’s tolerance to stress, and supporting the plant’s defense mechanism against diseases and pests.
When you adequately apply micronutrients to the onion crop, you’ll experience an increase in yield and quality, resulting in more significant financial benefits. Moreover, micronutrients can compensate for the quality shortage of macronutrients and improve the plant’s resistance against environmental stress.
Here are some of the benefits of micronutrients application in onion crop:
1. Increase in yield: Applying micronutrients like boron and zinc in onion crops can result in an increase in yield. Boron improves pollination and enhances the plant’s root growth and the growth of the shoot. Zinc accelerates plant growth in the early stages of development.
2. Improves onion quality: Copper and iron are essential micronutrients that influence onion’s flavor, texture, and color. A lack of iron in onions causes leaf tips to turn yellow, leading to stunted growth. The use of copper and iron enhances onion quality and the percentage of valuable products.
3. Reduces the growth of pests and diseases: A deficiency of micronutrients can make the onions more susceptible to pests and diseases. For example, low levels of manganese can cause onion leaves to become yellow and make the plant vulnerable to fungus. By applying micronutrients, the plant’s defense mechanism is strengthened, which aids in preventing the growth of pests and diseases.
When applying micronutrients, it is essential to follow the recommended application rate and schedule, as too much can be harmful to the plant. Nutrient imbalance is another issue that can arise by applying micronutrients improperly. It would be best to consult an expert before deciding on the right micronutrient application to ensure you get the most out of your onion crop.
In conclusion, a micronutrient application is essential in ensuring maximum yield and quality onions. Farmers must be mindful of proper micronutrient application to achieve the best results.