Farming

Drip Irrigation in Onion Farming Guide.

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Are you in need of in-depth knowledge on onion and garlic production? If yes, we are a call away. Our service chatter includes: Onion seedlings, Garlic seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack and Farm management. For free consultation, placing orders or booking a visit with an agronomist, please contact us via Call or what’s app +254703982228, Email: Info@oniondoctor.co.ke. Drip irrigation is an efficient and effective method of irrigation for onion farming in Kenya. It helps to conserve water, reduce weed growth, and minimize the risk of diseases associated with overwatering. Here’s a beginner’s guide to implementing drip irrigation for onion farming in Kenya: Why onion farming using drip irrigation is the best. What to consider when designing Drip irrigation system in onion farming. Components of a Drip System. Drip Installation and Maintenance. Prepare the Field: Clear the field of any debris or rocks that could interfere with the proper functioning of the drip system. Level the field if necessary, as this ensures even water distribution. Install the Drip System: Lay the drip tape or drip line along the rows where you’ll be planting the onions. Secure it with stakes or bury it slightly to keep it in place. Install emitters near each onion plant, ensuring the appropriate spacing based on your crop’s needs Test the System: Before planting, run the drip system to check for any leaks, clogs, or pressure issues. Fix any problems that you encounter. Planting and Mulching: Plant the onion seedlings or sets at the specified spacing along the drip tape. Applying a layer of organic mulch can help retain moisture and reduce weed growth. Irrigation Schedule: Set up an appropriate irrigation schedule based on the water needs of onions. In the beginning, frequent watering may be needed until the onion plants establish their root systems. As they mature, reduce the frequency of irrigation, but ensure sufficient water supply to support bulb development. Regular Maintenance: Inspect the system regularly for any issues, and clean the filters to prevent clogging. Also, check the emitters and replace any damaged ones. Onion Doctor offers Drip Irrigation kit and installation services at a very competitive price. Our prices are as follows:  1Acre=ksh. 170,000. 1/2 Acre=ksh. 85,000. 1/4 Acre= ksh. 43,000. 1/8 Acre=ksh. 22,000.  3 driplines/bed. Onion Doctor supports small holder farmers across Africa with quality and affordable Onion and Garlic seedlings, Onion seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack, Farm management, E-extension and on-farm training for farmers to optimize on yields and get maximum profits.

Farming

Nursery Preparation And Transplanting

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Are you in need of in-depth knowledge on onion and garlic production? If yes, we are a call away. Our service chatter includes: Onion seedlings, Garlic seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack and Farm management. For free consultation, placing orders or booking a visit with an agronomist, please contact us via Call or what’s app +254703982228, Email: Info@oniondoctor.co.ke. We Onion Doctor offers on-farm trainings and guidelines on how to prep your nursery till transplanting, for better measurement and good coporation of the manure. Also guide on the spacing of the nursery. We offer drip irrigation services depending on the acreage of your land, also guide on how to manage weeds and pests during the growing season. Nursery: Make your nursery bed to raise your seedlings near the planting site to make it easier for you during transplanting. Follow the following guidelines while preparing your seedling nursery; You should adjust the beds to be 1metre wide while incorporating compost manure that is well decomposed. The seedbed needs to be under a shade, or you can as well prepare a raised cover to protect seedlings from direct sunlight. On the seedbed, make rows 15cm apart and drill the seed thinly 1cm deep. Cover the seeds using soil and mulch. Onions take between 7-10days to germinate. You should ensure that you water the seedbed daily but be careful not to flood it. After the seeds germinate, remove the mulch. Transplanting Onions: Seedlings are transplanted 6-8weeks after sowing. You can as well transplant your onions when it has produced three to five well-formed leaves, and its base is pencil thick. As you approach the intended day of transplanting (7-10 days before transplanting); Gradually reduce the rate of watering. This will make your seedlings stronger in terms of structure. Remove the shade cover to get the seedlings more used to stronger sunshine. Before transplanting, you should irrigate your seedbed to avoid damaging your seedling as you pull it from the seedbed. You should also water the field a day before you intend to transplant.   During transplanting, you should follow the following guidelines; You should transplant early in the morning or late in the evening (6-10 am or 4-6 pm) when the sun is not scorching. Transplant your seedlings in 2.5-3cm deep trenches at a spacing of 30cm between rows and 8-10cm between plants. Firm up the seedling with the surrounding soil. Cut off 50% of green tops to hasten your onion take off. Fertilizer Requirements For Onions: Before planting, you should apply 10-16tonnes of well-decomposed manure per acre. Ensure the manure is well rotten as fresh manure will cause the development of thick leaves at the expense of bulb formation. You can also add 80kg of TSP to the fertilizer and incorporate it into the soil.  Top Dressing Onions: You should top-dress your onions 30days after transplanting at the rate of 40kg of CAN per acre. The second topdressing should be done 45days after transplanting at the rate of 80kgs of CAN per acre. The top dressing exercise should be completed before the onions start forming bulbs. You should not exceed the recommended standards as too much nitrogen will result in the formation of thick necks.  Onions require just enough moisture during the growing stage. At the bulbing stage, the onions will require a substantial amount of water. You should reduce the watering towards the maturity stage. You should take care not to over irrigate your crop as excessive moisture encourages the spread of fungal diseases. Also, water stress will cause the bulbs to split or form multiple bulbs in one plant. Diseases Affecting Onions: Onion diseases can result in considerable losses in terms of the quality and quantity of your produce. It is essential to quickly identify any disease attacks and mitigate them before the disease spreads all over your farm. Some of the conditions that attack onions include; Purple Blotch– A fungus causes this disease. It appears as small white spots on the foliage and spreads rapidly under moist conditions. A severe attack is indicated by the appearance of large purplish blotches surrounded by yellow to orange border. This infection can spread to the onion bulb where it may cause a wet orange spot starting from the neck. To control purple blotch, you should; 1. Use recommended spacing to ensure proper drainage of the field 2. Spray fungicides such as Mancozeb (Dithane M45®) to the crop to control the spread. 3: Use resistant varieties such as Red Pinoy. Pests Affecting Bulb Onions: Pests cause a lot of losses in terms of quality and quantity of the crop. Onions are attacked by a variety of pests the most common being; Onion flies– They appear as white cream in color. Onion flies cause damage as they eat the lateral roots causing tunnels into the taproot, plants become shriveled or eventually die. They are controlled by; 1. Practicing crop rotation 2. Practicing field sanitation by destroying infested plants. 3. Using well-decomposed manure. Harvesting And Post-Harvest: Onions usually become ready for harvesting at around 120 to 150 days after transplanting. You should harvest your bulb onions when 75 % of the tops of the crop have dried and fallen over. The onions are harvested by pulling and leaving the bulbs on the soil surface to begin the process of curing. Post-Harvest Care For Bulb Onions: Post-harvest care of onions involves the process of curing. Curing is whereby you dry the neck and outer leaves of the bulb. This prolongs the shelf life of the bulb by preventing moisture loss and attack by diseases. Curing can either be protected or done in the field.

Farming, Onion Farming

How to grow onions using a drip irrigation system

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Are you in need of in-depth knowledge on onion and garlic production? If yes, we are a call away. Our service chatter includes: Onion seedlings, Garlic seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack and Farm management. For free consultation, placing orders or booking a visit with an agronomist, please contact us via Call or whatsapp +254703982228, Email: Info@oniondoctor.co.ke. Onion Drip Irrigation Kit FAQs These are prices for 3 drip rows per bed . They include installation charges: 1/8 Acre=ksh. 22,000 1/4 Acre=ksh. 43,000 1/2 Acre=ksh.85,000 1Acre=ksh. 170,000 Components of an onion drip kit Onion Doctor supports small holder farmers across Africa with quality and affordable Onion and Garlic seedlings, Onion seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack, Farm management, E-extension and on-farm training for farmers to optimize on yields and get maximum profits.

Farming

Drip Irrigation in Kenya

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Are you in need of in-depth knowledge on onion and garlic production? If yes, we are a call away. Our service chatter includes: Onion seedlings, Garlic seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack and Farm management. For free consultation, placing orders or booking a visit with an agronomist, please contact us via Call or whatsapp +254703982228, Email: Info@oniondoctor.co.ke. Drip Irrigation system is a climate smart adaptation  modern farming technique that has been embraced by Kenyan farmers. This system saves on water, labor and helps in even distribution of water and nutrients. Its cost effective and has a durability of up to six years. Components of a drip kit. Advantages of Drip Irrigation System to farmers. Where can you buy Drip Kit in Kenya? Get your drip kits from Onion Doctor Kenya Nairobi. We are a trusted partner to all your farm inputs and management practices. For more information, call: 0703982228 Onion Doctor supports small holder farmers across Africa with quality and affordable Onion and Garlic seedlings, Onion seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack, Farm management, E-extension and on-farm training for farmers to optimize on yields and get maximum profits.

Farming

COMPONENTS OF A DRIP KIT

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Are you in need of in-depth knowledge on onion and garlic production? If yes, we are a call away. Our service chatter includes: Onion seedlings, Garlic seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack and Farm management. For free consultation, placing orders or booking a visit with an agronomist, please contact us via Call or what’s app +254703982228, Email: Info@oniondoctor.co.ke. Onion Doctor supports small holder farmers across Africa with quality and affordable Onion and Garlic seedlings, Onion seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack, Farm management, E-extension and on-farm training for farmers to optimize on yields and get maximum profits.

Farming, Onion Farming

Ecological Requirements For Bulb Onions

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Are you in need of in-depth knowledge on onion and garlic production? If yes, we are a call away. Our service chatter includes: Onion seedlings, Garlic seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack and Farm management. For free consultation, placing orders or booking a visit with an agronomist, please contact us via Call or what’s app +254703982228, Email: Info@oniondoctor.co.ke. Onions can grow in a variety of climatic conditions and soil characteristics. For optimal growth, onions will require; Bulb onions grow well in well-drained soils. You can also grow onions in shallow soils if you adapt in your management practices. Sandy to silty loams with fine tilth is adequate. pH ranging from 6.0-6.8. This is to ensure your onions maintain good macronutrient uptake. An altitude of below 1900 metres above sea level. The temperature of about 15 – 30 degrees Celsius. If the temperature exceeds 30 degrees Celsius, it hastens maturity leading to the production of small bulbs, consequently lowering the yields. Cooler temperatures also encourage the spread of leaf diseases. Well distributed rainfall of between 500 -700mm during the growth period. You should, however, note that during the maturity and curing process, dry weather will be more favorable. Yield Per Acre For Bulb Onions: The maturity period and yield per acre of onions as per variety is as follows; Red Pinoy– This variety takes 90 days after transplanting to mature. It has the ability to yield up to 30 tonnes per acre. It has a shelf life of 6months at room temperature and low humidity. Bombay Red- This variety takes 150 days to mature after transplanting. It has the ability to yield up to 16 tonnes per acre. Red Creole– This is a standard variety in Kenya due to its adaptability to various climatic conditions. It takes up to 150 days to mature after transplanting. You can harvest up to 16 tonnes per acre when farming this variety. Texas Early Grano- This variety is well adapted to the tropics. It matures 120 days after transplanting. You can harvest up to 21 tonnes per acre. The Texas Early Grano variety also has a good shelf life and transportability.

Farming

Harvesting, Curing, and Storing Onions

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Are you in need of in-depth knowledge on onion and garlic production? If yes, we are a call away. Our service chatter includes: Onion seedlings, Garlic seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack and Farm management. For free consultation, placing orders or booking a visit with an agronomist, please contact us via Call or what’s app +254703982228, Email: Info@oniondoctor.co.ke. Do you need guides and trainings on how to harvest and store your onions, look no further, Onion Doctor we are here for you. All you need is to make a date with us for a very competitive cost. We will offer a detailed path for your journey. Onions can be harvested at any time for fresh eating, but allow storing onions to mature fully to ensure the greatest storage capability. Onions will let you know when they are finished growing. You will start to see the tops flop over. The onions will bend over at the stem and stop directing energy to the foliage. Once the tops fall over, the onions are ready to harvest. Stop watering and wait for a dry period to dig up the bulbs. How to Harvest Onions. The easiest way to harvest a large amount of onions is to use a digging fork to carefully loosen the soil under the onions. Once the soil is loose, grasp around the neck of the onion stalk and pull them up gently trying not to tear the roots, stalks, or bruise the bulbs because damage will reduce the onion’s storage life. Spread out the onions on the garden fence so any soil that is still clinging to the bulbs can dry and be shaken of before bringing the onions inside to cure. If the sun is out, spread the onions out in a dry, shady area out of direct sun. Curing Onions: Curing onions allows the outer layers to dry out and tighten forming a protective wrapping around the bulb. Onions cure best in a shaded, dry, and cool place. This can be in a shed or on a covered porch away from direct sunlight.  Onions are finished curing when their outer skins turn papery, the foliage at the neck constructs, and the foliage shrivels and turns brown. Test one by cutting the stem about an inch from the bulb. The center of the cut area should not show any green. If it does, then the onions have not cured completely. Allow an additional week. How to Store Onions Once the onions are fully cured and all the foliage is dry and crispy, take the bundles back outside for cleaning and trimming before storing. Use scissors and cut the stems cleanly an inch or two from the bulbs and trim the roots. Brush the bulbs gently with your fingers to release any additional soil still clinging to the papery skin. Sometimes, the outer layer falls off. This is ok, but I try not to damage the skins any further than the first layer. Store cured onions loosely in baskets or hung in mesh bags in a cool, dark, and dry location Onion Doctor supports small holder farmers across Africa with quality and affordable Onion and Garlic seedlings, Onion seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack, Farm management, E-extension and on-farm training for farmers to optimize on yields and get maximum profits.

Farming

Drip Irrigation: Future of sustainable farming.

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Are you in need of in-depth knowledge on onion and garlic production? If yes, we are a call away. Our service chatter includes: Onion seedlings, Garlic seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack and Farm management. For free consultation, placing orders or booking a visit with an agronomist, please contact us via Call or what’s app +254703982228, Email: Info@oniondoctor.co.ke. Drip irrigation is a method of irrigating crops that involves delivering water directly to the root zone of plants through a system of pipes, tubing, and emitters. This method is more efficient than traditional irrigation methods because it minimizes water loss due to evaporation and runoff. As a result, drip irrigation has become increasingly popular in recent years and is often referred to as the future of sustainable farming. Here are some of the advantages of Drip irrigation. CropYields Drip irrigation is proven to deliver up to 40% higher yields than furrow irrigation while saving up to 50% in water usage and 30% in nutrients and labor. Additionally drip irrigation helps prevent nutrient leaching and runoff that is common in furrow irrigation. Labor Costs Drip irrigation also has the potential to reduce labor and energy costs for farmers. Once installed, drip irrigation systems can be set to run automatically, reducess the need for manual labor and supervision. This can be  beneficial for farmers in developing countries, where labor costs may be high. Drip irrigation is a sustainable farming practice that can help to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture. By reducing water usage and minimizing the use of pesticides and fertilizers, also can help to reduce the pollution of waterways and the degradation of soil quality. Additionally, drip irrigation can be combined with other sustainable agricultural practices, such as crop rotation and soil conservation, to create a more environmentally friendly and sustainable approach to farming. Soil Health In conclusion, drip irrigation is the future of sustainable farming. Its ability to conserve water, increase crop yields, improve plant health, reduce labor and energy costs, and promote environmental sustainability makes it an essential tool for farmers around the world. As the global population continues to grow and the demand for food increases, drip irrigation will play an increasingly important role in ensuring that we can produce food sustainably for generations to come. Onion Doctor supports small holder farmers across Africa with quality and affordable Onion and Garlic seedlings, Onion seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack, Farm management, E-extension and on-farm training for farmers to optimize on yields and get maximum profits.

Farming

How to Plant onions in a Nursery.

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Are you in need of in-depth knowledge on onion and garlic production? If yes, we are a call away. Our service chatter includes: Onion seedlings, Garlic seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack and Farm management. For free consultation, placing orders or booking a visit with an agronomist, please contact us via Call or what’s app +254703982228, Email: Info@oniondoctor.co.ke. We Onion Doctor offer trainings on how to set and prepare your nursery bed depending on your location, and also guide you on the spacing per bed. At very competitive price, reach to us for a quote. To get the best results with onions you need to start them in a Nursery. Here is how to do this; Make a raised nursery bed 1 metre wide and any desired length. Apply well decomposed manure at a rate of 15kg per square metre. Mix and Apply DAP fertilizer at a rate of 20 grams per metre square. Make shallow furrows 15 cm apart. Mix the seeds with dry ash, sand or soil at a ratio of 1:3 to help spread the small seeds. Plant the seeds and cover lightly with soil and apply mulches ( Grass or Polythene cover spread over the soil on the nursery bed) After planting irrigate the nursery bed liberally for the first 10 days and continue watering regularly. Germination of seeds will take about 7-10 days after which the mulches are removed and used to make a shade above the tender plants which have not fully developed. Transplanting of the seedlings takes place 6 weeks after planting seeds in the nursery. Transplant when the seedlings have pencil thick base and a height of approximately 15cm. Seedlings should have 3 to 5 well formed leaves at transplanting time. Two weeks before transplanting reduce the shade to improve seedling survival rate in the field. It takes about 3 months for onions to mature. Onion Doctor supports small holder farmers across Africa with quality and affordable Onion and Garlic seedlings, Onion seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack, Farm management, E-extension and on-farm training for farmers to optimize on yields and get maximum profits.

Farming

Garlic: Diseases and Symptoms

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Are you in need of in-depth knowledge on onion and garlic production? If yes, we are a call away. Our service chatter includes: Onion seedlings, Garlic seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack and Farm management. For free consultation, placing orders or booking a visit with an agronomist, please contact us via Call or what’s app +254703982228, Email: Info@oniondoctor.co.ke. Damping off: Disease symptoms: Nursery affected with dumping off rot before they emerge out of the soil. Post-emergence damping-off : The pathogen attacks the collar region of seedlings on the surface of soil. The collar portion rots and ultimately the seedlings collapse and die.  Survival and spread: Pathogen(s) survives on infected crop debris and soil which are source of primary inoculum. Favorable conditions: The disease is more prevalent during hot season/rainy season and causes about 60-75% damage. High soil moisture and moderate temperature along with high humidity leads to the development of the disease Purple blotch: Disease symptoms: The symptoms occur on leaves and flower stalks as small, sunken, whitish flecks with purple coloured centres. The lesions may girdle leaves/stalk and cause their drooping. The infected plants fail to develop bulbs  Survival and spread: The disease is soil borne and fungus survives in soil, infected bulbs and may persist in plant debris or on roots of weeds. Favorable conditions: Hot and humid climate with temperature ranging from 21-30° C and high relative humidity (80-90%) favor the development of the disease. Stemphylium leaf blight Disease symptoms: Infection occurs on radial leaves of transplanted seedlings at 3- 4 leaf stage. The symptoms appear as small yellowish to orange flecks or streaks in the middle of the leaves, which soon develop into elongated spindle shaped spots surrounded by pinkish margin. The disease on the inflorescence stalk causes severe damage to the seed crop.  Survival and spread: The fungus survives in plant debris or soil. Favourable conditions: Warm (18-25 °C) humid conditions and long periods of leaf wetness (16 hours or more) favour disease development. White rot (Sclerotial rot) Disease symptoms: The initial symptoms are yellowing and dieback of leaf tips. Later, scales, stem plate and roots get destroyed. The bulbs become soft and water soaked. Later, white fluff y or cottony growth of mycelium with abundant black sclerotia resembling mustard grain develops on the infected bulbs. Survival and spread: Fungus survives in soil as sclerotia for many years and it can over-winter in infected garlic debris and in diseased garlic sets. Favourable conditions: This disease is most severe in cool and dry soils. Downy mildew: Disease symptoms: Leaves turn to pale green. On leaves, cottony white mycelial growth develops and appears white. Gradually the leaves turn pale yellow to dark brown and dries up.  Survival and spread: Fungus survives in soil and infected plant debris. Favourable condition: Warm and humid climate favours the development of disease Bacterial brown rot/Slippery skin Disease symptoms: Field symptoms often appear as one or two wilted leaves in the center of the leaf cluster. These leaves eventually turn pale yellow and dieback from the tip while older and younger leaves maintain a healthy green appearance. During the early stages of this disease, the bulbs may appear healthy except for a softening of the neck tissue. In a longitudinal section, one or more inner scales become watery or cooked. The disease progresses from the top of the infected scale to the base Eventually, all the internal tissue will rot. Finally, the internal scales dry and the bulb shrivel. Squeezing the base of infected plants causes the rotted inner portion of the bulbs to slide out through the neck, hence the name slippery skin. Survival and spread: This bacterium is soil-borne and can be readily water-splashed to the foliage and necks where it can enter through wounds. Favourable conditions:  This bacterium requires moisture for infection and grows in the temperature range of 5-41° C. Heavy irrigation and persistent dews are also conducive to this disease. Onion Doctor supports small holder farmers across Africa with quality and affordable Onion and Garlic seedlings, Onion seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack, Farm management, E-extension and on-farm training for farmers to optimize on yields and get maximum profits.

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