Correct Harvesting Methods for Producing High-Quality Onions

Harvest when onion leaves have completely fallen over and 30-50% of the leaves are dried.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Saeyan] The Gyeongsangnam-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services Onion Research Institute has urged adherence to the appropriate harvest timing and methods to produce onions with excellent quality and storability.

From mid-April to late May, the bulb enlargement period for mid-late maturing onions, the average temperature in Gyeongnam was 16.4℃, similar to the normal year, and the maximum temperature was 23.1℃, 0.5℃ lower than usual, maintaining favorable weather conditions for onion bulb enlargement.

The weight loss of onions due to decay during storage is about 10-20%, but if cultivation management or pre- and post-harvest management is neglected, losses can reach up to 70%.

The best harvest method to improve the quality of stored onions is to harvest when the onion leaves have completely fallen over and about 30-50% have dried.

If the harvest time is earlier than this, nutrient accumulation in the bulb is insufficient, resulting in smaller bulbs and inability to store for a long period.

Conversely, if the harvest time is delayed beyond this, the weakened leaves and roots are more susceptible to pest and disease infections, which may reduce quality and storability.

In fields with poor drainage, salt damage, or widespread downy mildew and leaf blight, root vitality decreases and onion leaves may dry quickly. Since onion bulbs are more prone to pathogen infection, it is better to harvest earlier than the optimal time.

If onions are stored with stem lengths shorter than 5-7 cm when cutting the stems, gray mold or bacterial diseases frequently occur at the cut stem area, increasing the likelihood of decay.

Harvested onions should be dried for at least half a month to a month in a well-ventilated place away from direct sunlight to reduce the probability of decay during long-term storage.

Onions infected with pathogens or damaged should not be stored as they can rot quickly.

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