ARS | Publication request: Hoop house production of onion transplants

Submitted to: National Allium Research Conference
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: December 8, 2006
Publication Date: December 29, 2006
Citation: Shrefler, J.W., Webber III, C.L., Goodson, T.L., Roberts, B.W., Uspon, S.D. 2006. Hoop house production of onion transplants [abstract]. National Allium Research Conference. p. 44-45.

Technical Abstract: Onions (Allium cepa L.) are important in Oklahoma in garden plantings and as fresh-market commercial crops. Plantings are generally established in late winter using transplants. The predominate type of transplants used are bare-rooted plants that are produced out of state. Observations over several years have indicated that the quality of out of state transplants varied greatly from year to year. Furthermore, the number of cultivars available is often very limited. This presentation discusses trial results over 3 years to evaluate an alternative transplant source. Each trial used the cultivars 1015Y and Candy. Seeds were planted into beds on the soil floor of plastic houses measuring approximately 20 ft by 40 ft. These structures did not receive supplemental heat. In two trials, 3 plantings were made at weekly intervals beginning 15 Oct. Plants were removed from hoop houses and transplanted in commercial production fields in early March. Little more than traces of bolting occurred and the greatest bolting was in a trial where the variety Candy had 11% plants with seed stalks for the 15 Oct. planting date and 1% for the 29 Oct. planting date. 1015Y onions were found to mature 2-3 weeks earlier than Candy.