Effect of maturity stage on the yield of shallot onion (Allium cepa L. var. ascalonicum Backer)
Tendaj, M.; Piusinska Siedlecka, M.
Annales Universitatis Mariae Curie-Skłodowska. Sectio EEE, Horticultura 15: 65-72
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 1233-2127 Accession: 004420885
A study was conducted in Lublin, Poland, to evaluate the effect of maturity stage when they are harvested on onion shallot yields. Harvesting took place at three maturity stages. At the premature stage, the plants that formed the bulbs but did not fall over the shoots. At the full stage, over 60% of plants fell over the shoots but the shoots were mostly green and not withered. At the late maturity stage, the plants showed signs of being overripe such as withered tops and being fully covered with outer skin. The quality of the yield was estimated while considering the share of bulbs of different sizes, dry matter content, and sugar (reducing sugars and total) content. The results indicated that a delay in the harvest resulted in yield increase and a rise in the number of bulbs of greater diameter (above 25 mm). The bulbs from harvest in the second and third (full and late) stages contained more dry matter (on average, 20% more) and sugars in total (on average, 11.48-11.78) compared to the bulbs from the first (premature) stage. Considering the volume and quality of the onion harvest, the most optimal term of harvest was the second stage.