FERTILISE ONIONS THE ATLANTIC WAY! Onion seed production is a high-value, high-input crop.  Producers can therefore not afford to make any mistakes and a focused fertilisation program is crucial.

Before establishing the crop, it is very important to start with soil samples.  The results of the analysis will determine how to make the appropriate lime, gypsum, phosphate, potassium, and trace element corrections where needed.   It is also important to inspect the profile of the soil when taking the samples, to see if there are any physical restrictions that need to be addressed.

Preparing a favourable and fertile seedbed is important in order to create the ideal environment for strong root development.  Atlantic Fertilisers’ Bio Rock, a composted chicken manure, enriched with soft rock phosphate and then pelletised, is incorporated into the seedbed.

Seedlings or bulbs are also dipped in a BioKelp X5 mixture before planting. This helps with stress relief on the plants that will be transplanted and promotes root development.

Further fertilisation consisting of semi-organic products as well as granular and-or water-soluble products are then applied according to a prescribed schedule to ensure maximum development and production.

The use of Atlantic Fertilisers’ Ocean Nutrition (fish hydrolysate) must also be highlighted.  This product not only stimulates root development but serves as nutrition for the micro-organisms that promote the availability of nutrients, especially nitrogen.

The wide range of amino acids and nutrients present in the fish hydrolysate are directly available to plants and will also promote further plant development.  Fish hydrolysate can also be applied as a foliar spray with trace elements and Bio Kelp X5 as a source of nutrition and energy. This treatment will also address deficiencies that might still occur.

This approach to fertilisation and foliar feeding has proven to promote successful pollination which is directly related to optimal seed production.

You are welcome to contact the Atlantic Fertilisers team to help you with the best fertiliser program for your onions.