This "weird" and rather rainy summer season is affecting the quality of onions, especially long day ones.
"The continuous rains during harvesting will definitely affect the shelf-life and, therefore, it could be very difficult to have stored onions for winter, so short day ones might be a good investment," explains Fabrizion Abbondanza from Cora Seeds.
"Usually, the main problem with these types is seasonability, as cold winters can reduce pre-blossoming and lead to a loss of produce. What is more, mild winters can lead to early blossoming, causing phitosanitary problems."
"Production can vary between 30 tons per hectare up to 80-90 tons. We do advise producers to cultivate these types of onions on part of their land as they can then open the market with domestic produce and limit the foreign (Indian and South American) one."
Varieties suggested by Cora Seeds
CRX 1923 Hidras (above) - White round variety. Ripens in May. Medium-vigorous plant producing good grades and medium-small crowns. Ideal for both fresh and dried bulbs.
Reflex F1 (G 240) (above) - Onions suitable to be sowed in early September. Good vigour, round medium-big onions. Usually harvested in late May. Good productivity and ideal for storage (2 months).
Divina F1(CRX 3751) (above) - Brand new short day onion for late-August/early-September sowing. Excellent vigour, round uniform onions. High productivity and excellent tolerance to spring pre-blossoming. Ripe in May-early June. Good shelf-life. Can be used for intermediate cycles.
For further info
Cora Seeds srl
Via Boscone, 1765/A
47522 Cesena (FC)
Tel.: (+39) 0547 385166
Fax: (+39) 0547 380612
Web: www.coraseeds.com
Fabrizio Abbondanza
Emilia-Romagna, Toscana, Fucino sales manager
Cell.: (+39) 342 340 8680
Email: fabrizioabbondanza@outlook.com
Angelo Crucitti
Italy sales manager
Cell.: (+39) 348 0285357
Email: angelocrucitti@coraseeds.com