Raising of Seedlings in the Nursery

• Onion seeds are generally sown in the flat nursery bed and then the seedlings are transplanted in the field.
• Method of sowing in nursery is similar to Cole crops.
• Rainy season Onion is sown in raised nursery bed protecting seedlings by plastic roofing above nursery bed

Transplanting

• The seedlings are transplanted when they are 6 – 8 weeks old (14 – 15 cm tall).
• Early sown Onion gives a higher yield (large size bulb) but the number of bolters may be more and keeping quality low.
• Late sown Onion produces less nos. of bolters, small bulb and low yield of good keeping quality.
• Sometimes before transplanting 1/3rd part of the green leaf is chopped and removed to reduce transpiration.
• Seedling are usually transplanted in flat beds.
• Transplanting on ridge is better for rainy season crops.