After a long break, I am now back
with another newly-produced onion hybrid which has hit the market with a strong
surprise. This is a tried and tested Zimbabwean hybrid from a Zimbabwean seed
breeder company called AVANOS.
with another newly-produced onion hybrid which has hit the market with a strong
surprise. This is a tried and tested Zimbabwean hybrid from a Zimbabwean seed
breeder company called AVANOS.
KALUNGA PLUS is a short-season
variety by which farmers can maximize profits in a short period of time if
properly managed. It grows best when planted in summer and high growth period
in autumn. That is good sowing period is mid-March to May.
variety by which farmers can maximize profits in a short period of time if
properly managed. It grows best when planted in summer and high growth period
in autumn. That is good sowing period is mid-March to May.
More importantly, land
preparation should be done in time and perfectly. This hybrid like any other
onions does very well in well drained, sandy or sandy-loamy soils. We recommend
farmers to plant the onions in straight lines for easy irrigation systems.
preparation should be done in time and perfectly. This hybrid like any other
onions does very well in well drained, sandy or sandy-loamy soils. We recommend
farmers to plant the onions in straight lines for easy irrigation systems.
Fertilizer
application
application
Farmers should use correct
fertilizers and correct application rates. For good farming practice we advise
to first have soil tests to give us quantities of fertilizers to apply.
fertilizers and correct application rates. For good farming practice we advise
to first have soil tests to give us quantities of fertilizers to apply.
We really recommend farmers to
use Superfert compound C fertilizer at a ratio of 1000kg or veg –blend per
hectare before transplanting. Add 180kg
of Superfert ammonium nitrate for top dressing.
Onion is a short rooted plant, therefore fertilizers MUST be placed to
the reach of the roots. This applies to all basal fertilizers applied into the
soil before transplanting.
use Superfert compound C fertilizer at a ratio of 1000kg or veg –blend per
hectare before transplanting. Add 180kg
of Superfert ammonium nitrate for top dressing.
Onion is a short rooted plant, therefore fertilizers MUST be placed to
the reach of the roots. This applies to all basal fertilizers applied into the
soil before transplanting.
When applying ammonium nitrate, it
must be done in 3 or 4 phases starting from when the plants gets into active
growth at about three weeks intervals
until the necks start going soft. It is
very important to apply ammonium nitrate when temperatures are warm and KALUNGA
PLUS grows well than in low temperatures. We may also encourage farmers to use
organic manure together with chemical fertilizers.
must be done in 3 or 4 phases starting from when the plants gets into active
growth at about three weeks intervals
until the necks start going soft. It is
very important to apply ammonium nitrate when temperatures are warm and KALUNGA
PLUS grows well than in low temperatures. We may also encourage farmers to use
organic manure together with chemical fertilizers.
NOTE: constant moisture should be
maintained. In hot areas irrigate after every 3 to 6 days.
maintained. In hot areas irrigate after every 3 to 6 days.
To have a good quality of KALUNGA
PLUS spacing is also very crucial. We encourage in-row spacing of between 7 to
10cm and inter-row 15cm. This gives us a
plant population of 650 000 to 800 000 per hectare. However, we can use 4 to
5kg per hectare.
PLUS spacing is also very crucial. We encourage in-row spacing of between 7 to
10cm and inter-row 15cm. This gives us a
plant population of 650 000 to 800 000 per hectare. However, we can use 4 to
5kg per hectare.
Harvesting
KALUNGA PLUS matures between 90
to 110 days and the bulb size ranges from 85 to 120g. The potential yield must
be 35 to 65 tonnes per hectare.
to 110 days and the bulb size ranges from 85 to 120g. The potential yield must
be 35 to 65 tonnes per hectare.
We should stop applying
nitrogenous fertilizers four weeks before harvesting. Reduce watering when
plants show signs of foliage and discontinue completely when almost 50 percent
of the plants are down and top part dry. When they are 80 percent top down,
then the bulbs are mature and ready for harvest.
nitrogenous fertilizers four weeks before harvesting. Reduce watering when
plants show signs of foliage and discontinue completely when almost 50 percent
of the plants are down and top part dry. When they are 80 percent top down,
then the bulbs are mature and ready for harvest.
After harvesting, make sure you
cure the onion either in the field or storage room if properly ventilated.
cure the onion either in the field or storage room if properly ventilated.
When in the field, cover the
bulbs with their foliage or a thin layer of grass to avoid direct sunlight.
KALUNGA PLUS, if properly cured, has a shelf life of between 5 and 6 months.
This is a good advantage to farmers.
bulbs with their foliage or a thin layer of grass to avoid direct sunlight.
KALUNGA PLUS, if properly cured, has a shelf life of between 5 and 6 months.
This is a good advantage to farmers.
Unlike any other onions KALUNGA
PLUS is resistant to mildew and less vulnerable to some diseases because of its
short life span. So i encourage farmers
to go for this hybrid because it reduces extra costs for chemicals.
PLUS is resistant to mildew and less vulnerable to some diseases because of its
short life span. So i encourage farmers
to go for this hybrid because it reduces extra costs for chemicals.
In the event of disease and pest
infections use the chemicals which we talked about in the last chapter on
ILANGA PLUS.
infections use the chemicals which we talked about in the last chapter on
ILANGA PLUS.
Our markets also remain the same
but we as farmers, always consult for prices because they are changing with
demands.
but we as farmers, always consult for prices because they are changing with
demands.
Compiled by Vengai Defu
Farm & City Masvingo branch
manager
manager
Masvingo branch
For
further advices and information contact me on 263-039 2264246/
263777429362/263772137202 or sales team on 263-039 2264246/263773208930
further advices and information contact me on 263-039 2264246/
263777429362/263772137202 or sales team on 263-039 2264246/263773208930
