Effective microorganisms for the cultivation and qualitative improvement of onion (Allium cepa L.)

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate how effective microorganisms (EM) affect the quality and growth of onions cvs “Dorata di Bologna”, “Lunga di Firenze”, “Bianca Musona”, “Rossa di Tropea”. An experiment was carried out with 2 treatments: 1) soil inoculated with EM microorganisms; 2) soil without EM microorganisms (control). The test showed a significant increase in the agronomic parameters analysed in the plants treated with Effective microorganisms. In fact, all the onions of the different varieties, treated with EM microorganisms, showed a significant increase in bulbs weight, bulbs diameter, bulbs length and root weight. There is also an increase in radical growth in the theses with Effective Microorganisms, an aspect confirmed in other experiments in vegetable and ornamental crops. Increased root growth results in improved resistance to water and transplant stress and a higher supply of nutrients to the plant, which consequently grows better. It is therefore clear from the evidence that the use of this selection of microorganisms, inoculated into the soil, can significantly improve the quality of onions bulbs.