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Successful onion farming in Kenya begins with meticulous planning and execution. From establishing the nursery to controlling pests and diseases, every step plays a vital role in ensuring a bountiful harvest.
Nursery Establishment: Where It All Begins
Creating a Raised Nursery Bed: Start by crafting a raised nursery bed, ideally 1 meter wide and of the desired length. To enrich the soil, apply well-decomposed manure at a rate of 15 kg per square meter.
Seeding and Dormancy Breakage: Mix DAP (Diammonium Phosphate) at a rate of 20g per square meter to promote seedling growth. Make shallow furrows with a 15cm separation and mix the onion seeds with sand for even distribution. After sowing the seeds, apply a solution consisting of 10g of loyalty, 100g of pyramid, and 20mls of optimizer mixed with water. This mixture aids in controlling early pests and diseases while breaking seed dormancy.
Transplanting: The Next Crucial Step
Timing and Seedling Criteria: Transplant your onion seedlings 6 weeks after germination. Opt for seedlings with a pencil-size thickness and a length of approximately 15cm. Ensure they have 3-5 well-formed leaves before transplanting.
Weed Control: A Clean Canvas for Onions Importance of Weed Control: Keep your onion field free from weeds, as they can host pests and diseases while competing for essential nutrients. Chemical weed control is the preferred method; use a selective herbicide known as Commander two weeks after transplanting.
Combatting Pests and Diseases: Safeguarding Your Crop
Dealing with Thrips: Thrips can damage your onion crop by sucking sap and causing silvery white leaves. This affects bulb formation. Control thrips using Alternate Profile and Alonze at the recommended rates.
Managing Leaf-Eating Caterpillars: Leaf-eating caterpillars pose a threat to your onion field. Combat them with Alternate Escort and Profile at the specified rates.
Addressing Purple Blotch: Purple blotch manifests as water-soaked lesions with white centers on onion leaves. Spray Tower/Fortress Gold at the suggested rate to manage this issue.
Mastering onion farming in Kenya requires a structured approach, from nursery establishment to pest control. By meticulously preparing your nursery, selecting the right seedlings, managing weeds, and addressing potential threats like thrips, caterpillars, and purple blotch, you can increase your chances of a successful onion harvest.
Onion Doctor is dedicated to assisting smallholder farmers across Africa, offering quality and affordable Onion and Garlic seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value packs, Farm management, E-extension, and on-farm training. Join forces with Onion Doctor to optimize your yields and maximize profits in the world of onion farming.