Curing

• Harvested bulbs kept in open shade for few days, neck become tight and outer skin are dried.
• Curing is done to remove excess moisture from outer skin for reducing disease infection.
• Curing becomes complete when the neck becomes tight and outer scales are dried.
• If the season is mild (as in Kharif crop), the bulbs with leaves (after harvesting) are left in the field under the sun for 2 – 3 weeks, then leaves are cut 2 – 2.5 cm above the neck.
• If the weather is hot (as in Rabi) bulbs are cured by covering bulbs with their leaves in rows in field for 2 – 3 days, then cutting the leaves 2 – 2.5 cm above the neck and curing under shade for 7 – 10 days.

Storage

• Under ordinary condition it can be stored for several weeks in well ventilated room.
• Under cold storage condition it can be stored for about 4 months at 0^oC to 1.7^oC and 80 –85% RH.
• At 60% RH it is possible to store even for 6 – 7 months.
• Periodical turning of bulbs and removal of rotten and sprouted bulbs should be done.