Optimizing Onion Farming in Kenya: Unlocking the Potential of Hybrid Onion Varieties
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Dive into the world of hybrid onions and discover how they are revolutionizing onion farming in Kenya. With yield potentials ranging from 20-40 tons per acre, hybrid onions, such as the Red Coach F1 and Malbec F1, are gaining popularity among Kenyan farmers. In this guide, we explore the attributes of Red Coach F1, a high-yielding early maturing variety, and provide valuable insights into nursery establishment, transplanting, spacing, maturity, harvesting, and storage techniques.
They are early maturing variety that matures in 75days after transplanting. A high yielder giving a farmer over 23tones per acre of onion bulbs at harvest on average, Excellent medium to large sized bulbs which are very uniform, The bulbs possess a shiny red coloured outer skin and a more red internal flesh with excellent FLAVOR &PUNGENCY.
Bulbs as well possess a perfect shelf life of up-to 6months from harvest time. This variety exhibits self curing character.(the onion plants bend their necks uniformly on their own at maturity time.) This guarantees our farmers a uniform harvest.
Important Attributes of Red Coach F1:
Early maturing variety; 80-90 days from transplanting
It’s a mid-short day hybrid red bulb onion variety
It’s flattened globe shape bulb onion
Produces medium to large dark red bulbs Very vigorous plant with strong root system which makes it ideal for hot growing conditions
Has firm bulbs with good storage ability of up to 3 months
It’s a pink rot resistant variety which makes it ideal for most Kenyan soils
It produces 25-30 tons of uniformly mature deep red bulbs
Nursery Establishment: Make raised beds in rainy seasons and sunken beds in dry seasons of 1 m width and of any desired length.
Apply well decomposed manure at the rate of 5kgs per square meter-mix and apply D.A.P at 0.5 kg per square meter .
Make shallow furrows of 15 cm apart and 1-2 cm deep Plant the seeds and cover lightly with the soil and apply mulch Make raised beds in rainy seasons and sunken beds in dry seasons of 1 m width and of any desired length.
Apply well decomposed manure at the rate of 5kgs per square meter-mix and apply D.A.P at 0.5 kg per square meter Make shallow furrows of 15 cm apart and 1-2 cm deep Plant the seeds and cover lightly with the soil and apply mulch
Transplanting:
Transplant of seedlings takes 6-8 weeks after sowing when they have attained pencil thickness and 15 cm of height. Transplant when seedlings have 3-5 well-formed leaves. Two weeks before transplanting, reduce the shade to improve seedling survival rate in the field
Spacing: Onions are spaced at 30 cm by 7-10 cm
Maturity: Red coach F1 takes 3 months to full physiological maturity
Harvesting: Onions are ready to harvest when they form a shiny membranous cover around the bulbs or when the foliage withers. Harvest when rains are little or during dry season, Harvesting is done by pulling the bulbs carefully from the soil then chopping off the leaves or by bunching the onions together and hanging them up in an airy space for about a week until all the outer leaves are nicely dried then bulbs can be easily pulled from the bunches.
Storage: Don’t store freshly harvested bulbs on the floor, the floor increases humidity hence high rate of rotting. Put onions in loose bags/nets and store them in a well-constructed storage facility
As hybrid onions pave the way for increased yields and profitability in Kenyan farming, Onion Doctor stands as a reliable partner for smallholder farmers. Contact us today for quality and affordable onion and garlic seedlings, expert agronomic support, and a range of services designed to optimize yields and maximize profits in your farming venture.
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.