Bulb CropsA bulb is a short stem with fleshy leaves or leaf
bases.The leaves often function as food storage organs during
dormancy.
Onion Allium cepa L.Family: AmaryllidaceaeOrigin: Afghanistan,
India and nearby countries.Cultivated and used as food in
history.Flavour: pungent smell is due to volatile oil. Mature bulb
contains starch, sugars, proteins & vit A, B and CVarieties:
Ghotki, Phulkara, Desi Red, Pindi Red, Local White, etc.
Production technologyClimate: Cool season vegetable.High
temperature required for bulb formation.Soil:Well drained, fertile,
rich in hummusBest at pH 5.8-6.5Manures and fertilizers:FYM @
40-50t/ha_ preparation120-60-60 kg/ha NPKPlanting:Seedlings raised:
June-September, Transplanted: July- OctoberRidge sowing. PxP
distance 10-15cmSeed rate for nursery: 8-10kg/ha
Irrigation:Immediately before transplanting.Subsequent
irrigations should be given at 7-10 days interval Hoeing &
Weeding: 3-4 hoeing are necessary. Harvesting & Curing: After
50 percent of the crop showing neck fall, the onions may be lifted
out of the soil 3-4 days of warm and dry weather for field curing
Yield: 25-30 t/ha
GarlicAllium sativum L.Family: AlliaceaeOrigin: Southern Europe
& Western AsiaCompound bulb containing 10-16 cloves.Higher
nutritive value than other bulb crops.Vast medicinal usesContains
calcium, phosphorous & vit C.Varieties: Faisalabad White,
Lehsen Gulabi, Lehsen purple are common.
Climate: Cool season vegetable.Long days are suitable for good
quality of clovesSoil:Well drained, fertile, loamy soilsBest at pH
6.0-7.0Manures and fertilizers:Same as for onionsNitrogen
requirement: 125-150 kg/haPlanting:In September- November in
plainsCloves planted singly400-500 kg/ha is sufficient.Production
technology
Irrigation:At 8 days intervals during vegetative growth Every
10-15 days during maturation. Hoeing & Weeding: 2-3 weedings at
one month interval. Hoeing the crop just before the formation of
bulbs Harvesting & Curing: Ready for harvesting when its tops
turn yellowish or brownish and show signs of drying up and bend
over. Field drying for a week or moreYield: 4000 10000 kg/ha
