Stand Reduction and Foliage Damage Reduce Yield of Dehydrating Onion

Abstract

Field trials were conducted at Hermiston, Ore., from 1995 through 1998, to determine impact of stand loss and plant damage at different growth stages on yield of onions (Allium cepa) grown for dehydration. Stand reduction (0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%) and foliage damage (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) treatments were applied at three-, six-, nine-, and twelve-leaf onion growth stages. Although average bulb weight increased as stand was reduced, marketable, cull, and total yields decreased as stand reduction increased (plant population decreased) at all plant growth stages. Bulb weight was not changed by up to 100% foliage removal at the three-leaf stage. At the six- and twelve-leaf stages, weight was reduced when ≥50% of the foliage was removed. The most severe response occurred at the nine-leaf stage. At the three-leaf stage, yield was not affected by foliage damage. At the six-leaf growth stage, yield was reduced by 75% or more foliage loss, but at the nine- and twelve-leaf stages, ≥50% foliage removal reduced expected yields. As with bulb weight, the impact of foliage removal on yield was most severe at the nine-leaf growth stage.