Onions are bulb plants and belong to the Allium family of plants. Onions are a type of vegetable crop that has incredible flavors as well as some medicinal properties. However, onions vary in size, shape, colour, and flavour. The most common types of onions planted in Kenya are red, yellow, and white. Onions have different tastes that range from sweet and juicy to sharp and spicy, often depending on the season in which people grow and consume them. Due to the high demand, onions require enough fertilizer nutrients to increase yield capacity and quality and meet the high market demand.
Onions require different fertilizer ratios depending on the growth stage; therefore, regular fertilizing is essential to produce the highest and best quality onions.
1. DSP Fertilizer
Double super is a phosphate fertilizer containing about 36% phosphorus; however, its phosphorus content is double that of single super phosphate.
4 Reasons Why DSP is the Best Fertilizer for Onions in Kenya
1. DSP is a slow-releasing fertilizer that benefits onions over an extended period.
2. DSP stimulates enzymes in onions that promote the uptake of nitrogen and higher biomass, which enhance plant growth.
3. DSP is a biological stimulator of amino acids, chlorophyll, and sugars, which are crucial aids for photosynthesis.
4. DSP increases the growth of beneficial microorganisms that help the soil become more prolific.
2. DAP Fertilizer
DAP is a good supplier of phosphorus to the onions, which is very important in their early growth after transplanting.
4 Reasons Why DAP Fertilizer is The Best Fertilizer for Onions in Kenya
DAP is a preferred fertilizer for onion growth since it provides the onions with the primary macronutrients essential for growth.
Dap Has Phosphorus, Which Is Essential for Root Development
Phosphorus contributes to healthy onion roots, which enhance the growth of the onions in the soil, resulting in an increase in quality and yields.
2. DAP Has Sulphur that Enhances the Onions’ Quality
DAP has readily available sulfur that facilitates the intake of nitrogen and phosphorous in the onion plant, thus improving their growth quality.
3. DAP is an Excellent Source of Nitrogen for the Onions
DAP provides the onions with nitrogen, which has an excellent effect on overall onion health and growth.
4. DAP is Ideal for Planting the Onion
DAP encourages the growth of younger shoots and improves the quality and shelf life of the onions.
3.Triple Super Phosphate(TSP) Fertilizer
TSP fertilizer belongs to a group of water-soluble and universal phosphorus fertilizers with many perfect physical and chemical properties, making it compatible with different soils and most parts of the country.
Triple superphosphate is soluble and can be directly applied to the soil as a single nutrient, and therefore serves as the best source of phosphorous for the onions.
Reasons Why TSP is the Best Fertilizer for Onions in Kenya
1. TSP helps to accelerate the growth of the root system in young onion plants.
2. TSP helps to increase onions’ resistance to biotic conditions such as drought and freezing
3. TSP is essential for forming quality and increases the yielding capacity during bulb formation in onions.
4. TSP helps to shorten the maturity period of the onions by improving their growth rate
4. CAN Fertilizer
CAN is the most effective fertilizer for top dressing onions. It is mainly made up of nitrogen; however, it also has calcium and magnesium
5 Reasons Why CAN is the Best Fertilizer for Onions in Kenya
1. CAN plays an essential role in the firmness of the cell.
CAN has calcium, which enhances the firmness of the cell and thus the onion’s ability to retain moisture. Too little weight is lost when the onions are stored longer.
2. CAN has a direct influence on the salt balance within Onions cells
The presence of calcium in CAN directly influences the salt balance within the onion’s cells. It activates potassium to regulate the opening and closing of stomata to allow water movement from the onion plant.
3. CAN facilitates the formation of the bulbs in onions
CAN ensure a good supply of calcium to the bulb to maximize eventual storage quality, which helps the bulb’s formation.
4. CAN helps to improve the onion’s maturity
CAN contain calcium nitrate, which is especially beneficial when applied early to improve onion establishment and ensure crops reach the desired height prior to transplanting.
5. CAN Enhances the vegetative growth of the onions
The CAN contained in the CAN facilitates vegetative growth, which helps to maintain vigorous, healthy leaf growth and build plant supplies before bulbing in onions.
Fertilizer Schedule for Onions in Kenya
Onions require a high nitrogen source, a nitrogen-based fertilizer that should be applied at the rate of one cup per twenty feet of row; use 400 kg per ha of DSP K fertilizer.
Other alternatives are 200 kg/ha of TSP or 150 kg of DAP fertilizers. Onions require a topdressing of 300 kg/ha of CAN fertilizer.
Is NPK Fertilizer Good for Onions
Yes, NPK contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are excellent for the onions’ growth and provide maximum bulb formation, increased dry matter, and high yields.
Top Dressing Fertilizer for Onions
Apply nitrogen-based fertilizers such as ammonium sulfate, calcium nitrate, or ammonium nitrate at one cup per twenty feet of a row.
The first application should be made about three weeks after planting, and subsequent applications should be made every two to three weeks.
Homemade Fertilizer for Onions
The best homemade fertilizer is compost and chicken organic fertilizer, which provide maximum nutrients to the onions during growth.
Maybe you are wondering whether a 10-10-10 fertilizer is good for onions. Well, the answer is yes, as 10-10-10 is considered an all-purpose, balanced fertilizer for onions in all situations.
Urea Fertilizer for Onions
The best urea fertilizer is foliar urea, which may be recommended since it enhances the growth of onions.
Onion Fertilizer Recommendations
Onions require fertilizers with a high nitrogen source; you can apply this in two or three doses in a window period of 35 to 40 days, after which you will seize the application of nitrogen-based fertilizers.
Best Fertilizer for Onions and Garlic
Because onions and garlic have poor nutrient uptake, nutrients should be applied as close to the rooting zone as possible in frequently and readily available forms.
However, nitrogen and potassium are the most needed nutrients and are found in relatively significant quantities in onion and garlic crops. They are fundamental for achieving high marketable yields.
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