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Pesticide residues were extracted using the QuEChERS method, followed by detection by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). The non-carcinogenic health risk in adult and child consumers was calculated by target hazard quotient (THQ) and total target hazard quotient (TTHQ) in the Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) method. The rank order of pesticides detected by UHPLC-MS/MS based on median concentration in onion was tebuconazole (0.004551 mg/kg) > imidacloprid (0.00233 mg/kg) > boscalid (0.00211 mg/kg) > diazinon (0.00079 mg/kg) > thiabendazole (0.00075 mg/kg) > acetamiprid (0.00052 mg/kg) > thiophanate-methyl (0.00052 mg/kg) > dichlorvos (0.000349 mg/kg) > fenitrothion (0.000132 mg/kg) > penconazole (0.00005 mg/kg). The median of TTHQ in adults and children's consumers were 4.00E–3 and 2.00E–2, respectively. TTHQ in adults and children's consumers was lower than 1 value. Hence, consumers were in the acceptable range (TTHQ <1). Consequently, onion consumption cannot endanger consumers' health status due to the pesticide residues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this article is to present the results of a survey conducted among owners on the toxicity of selected vegetables, fruits and their seeds for their animals and to discuss poisoning in animals after eating onions and other plants of the Allium genus, avocado (Persea Americana), grapes (genus Vitis from the Vitaceae family) and raisins and seeds of plants from the Rosaceae family. The article describes the sources and risk of poisoning, the mechanism of toxic action, clinical symptoms, therapeutic procedures and prevention of poisoning with the above-mentioned plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the determinants of onion commercialization of smallholder farmers in the Wolayita and Gomo zones of southern Ethiopia. Both primary and secondary data were used in this study. Primary data were collected from randomly selected 160 onion producers by using a structured questionnaire. Both descriptive statistics and the double-hurdle econometric model were employed in the analysis. The descriptive statistics indicated that the mean commercialization level of smallholder farmers in the study area was 79.51%, highlighting that onion producers in this region primarily focus on marketing their produce. Using the econometric model the first-stage double hurdle results revealed that family size, farming experience, frequency of extension contacts, and distance to the nearest market were factors significantly affecting the market participation decision of onion producers. The second stage of the double hurdle results indicates that education level, family size, frequency of extension contacts, land size allotted for onion production, and distance to the nearest market were factors that significantly affected the level of onion commercialization. Therefore, policies aimed at increasing farmers' access to better road networks and transportation facilities, improving access to education, promoting agricultural training programs, and improving extension services are recommended to improve the commercialization of onion production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of beneficial microbes is hitherto known and constantly increasing in agriculture due to their positive impact on crop growth and yield, and their minimal negative impact on the environment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of eight Trichoderma strains of diverse origin on crop growth and yield of onion under field conditions. The identity of the strains used in the current study was confirmed by ITS and Tef1 gene sequencing. Field experiments were conducted in the Rabi season for 2 years (2020-21, and 2022-23) to evaluate the effect of the application of eight different Trichoderma strains that were applied individually and separately as eight different treatments (T1-T8) in experimental plots. In the plant growth promotion assay conducted in vitro, all strains showed the ability to produce IAA (indole-3-acetic acid), with levels ranging from 23.52 µg/mL (T6) to 45.54 μg/mL (T3). Our results revealed that Trichoderma treated experimental plots displayed better growth indices (plant height, pseudostem diameter), RWC (Relative water content), leaf chlorophyll content, and yield-attributing features like biomass (bulb and root dry mass), bulb diameter, and harvested bulb yield compared to the untreated control plants. In terms of yield, the T2 strain exhibited the highest bulb yield consistently for both the years (2020-21 and 2022-23) followed by T3 being statistically at par with T5. Among all the evaluated Trichoderma strains, the strain T2 (OGRDT2) and T3 (GRDT1), taxonomically identified as Trichoderma longibrachiatum, registered bulb yield of 32.24 t/ha and 30.76 t/ha, respectively while T5 (GRDT3), identified as Trichoderma asperellum, registered 30.55 t/ha average yield for 2 years compared to 24.08 t/ha average yield recorded for untreated control plants with an increase of 34, 28 and 27%, respectively. Based on our findings, it is concluded that the T. longibrachiatum strains OGRDT2 (T2) and GRDT1 (T3), T. asperellum strain GRDT3 (T5) are the best inducers of the onion crop growth and yield in the Rabi season and would be explored further for its commercial application in onion farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In healing cut wounds, generally many use drugs with chemicals, the use of chemicals in wound healing has a lot of negative impacts, therefore it is necessary to conduct further research on the benefits of natural ingredients such as plants to treat cut wounds, some of the advantages of using medicinal plants include relatively safer, easy to obtain, cheap, does not cause resistance, and relatively harmless to the surrounding environment or the mixture between the plants, which has been used for treatment for generations. One way to treat cut wounds is to use herbal plants because they are cheaper, easier to get, and have low side effects. Compounds that play a role in the healing process of cut wounds include flavonoids, saponins, tannins, polyphenols, and essential oils. One of the plants that has health benefits is grapes. The purpose of this study is to find out the comparison of the effectiveness of grape seeds and onion extract in healing cut wounds in wistar rats. The type of research used in this study is experimental research with a true experimental method with a post-test only control group design pattern. The sample to be used in this study is 24 rats divided into 4 groups so that each group contains 6 rats. Data analysis uses the One-Way ANOVA test. The results showed that shallot gel extract had a significant effect on the percentage of reduction in incision length. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Onion (Allium cepa) is a major field vegetable in South Korea and has been produced for a long time along with cabbage, radish, garlic, and dried peppers. However, as field vegetables, including onions, have recently been imported at low prices, the profitability of onion production in South Korea is beginning to be at risk. In order to maximize farmers' profits through onion production, this study develops onion yield prediction models via an ensemble learning-based framework involving linear regression, polynomial regression, support vector regression, decision tree, ridge regression, and lasso regression. The use of nitrogen fertilizers is considered an independent variable in the development of the yield prediction model. This is because the use of nitrogen fertilizers accounts for the highest production cost (13.47%) after labor cost (41.21%) and seed cost (17.42%), and it also directly affects onions yields. For the model development, five research datasets on changes in onion yield according to changes in the use of existing nitrogen fertilizers were used. In addition, a non-linear optimization model was devised using onion yield prediction models for the profit maximization of onion production. As a result, the developed non-linear optimization model using polynomial regression enables an increase in profits from onion production by 67.28%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study was conducted at four different locations in India in order to evaluate the genetic diversity and stability of 38 genotypes of onion (Allium cepa L.) under various climatic circumstances. The genetic diversity was evaluated through cluster analysis which divided thirty-eight genotypes into two major clusters (cluster I and cluster II) each of which had 20 and 18 genotypes. As per Additive Main-effects and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) model, five genotypes from cluster I, namely Accession (Acc.) 1217, 1209, Bhima Shweta, 1639, and 1640 were shown to have greater adaptation, with regressive values of 0.14, 0.74, 1.51, 2.11, and 2.17, respectively and marketable yields ranging from 176.23–227.31 q/ha. The mean performance of genotypes in individual clusters revealed that the cluster I and cluster II genotypes showed maximum marketable yield, total yield and average bulb weight. Based on the findings of the assessment study, these stable genotypes could be utilised as parent plants in future breeding programmes to develop high-yielding onion varieties that not only showcase stability but also possess widespread adaptability, thereby enhancing overall onion crop performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early sprouting is a main cause of onion spoilage during storage. However, limited knowledge is available on which factors trigger sprouting. Here, this was studied in the Hyfive and Exhibition cultivars, which largely differ in sprouting time. Sprouting progress was compared to the fructan and abscisic acid (ABA) profiles in the bulb scales and basal plates. Fructan concentrations decreased in the scales from harvest time onwards in the late-sprouting cultivar Hyfive, while remaining constant in the cultivar Exhibition until internal sprouting. In the basal plates, fructan concentrations increased in both cultivars from approximately one month after harvest, but reached maximum concentrations at moments that could not be related to the difference in internal sprouting. ABA levels generally decreased in the scales of both cultivars, while increasing in their basal plates. Nevertheless, for fructans, the measured variation in ABA concentrations was not consistently associated with differences in internal sprouting. A subsequent perturbation of internal sprouting by Maleic Hydrazide treatment in the cultivar Hyfive confirmed a lack of correlation. Altogether, this indicates that fructan and ABA levels in the scales and basal plate tissue change independent of internal sprouting and cannot be regarded as predictive markers for sprouting and storability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Onion is one of the most important crops in the world, including Iran. Despite the high quantity produced in Iran, it is sent to the domestic and foreign markets in inappropriate conditions and at a low price due to the lack of a sorting process and appropriate packaging. This study aimed to evaluate an onion sorting machine, study the effect of the performance characteristics of the machine on the sorting quality indexes, and determine the probable mechanical damage to the product during the sorting to achieve the machine's optimum performance characteristics. This machine was designed and constructed with two reciprocating sieves with a length and width of 2×1 m², using a wobble shaft. Onion was sorted at 3 degrees based on their diameter according to the international standards code (D<50 mm, 50mm70mm). The sorting performance indexes comprised the degree of pollution and purity, measured and calculated while sorting 200 kg of onion. Also, based on the obtained indexes in all test conditions, the number of optimum performance characteristics of the machine was determined, such as effective capacity, slope (6, 8, and 10 degrees), and frequency of sieves (2.66, 3, 3.33 s-1) and their effect on the onion mechanical damage during the sorting process. The highest degree of purity, equal to 95.60%, was obtained at a frequency of 3.33 s-1 and a slope of 10 degrees for the sieves at a capacity of 1 to 1.2 t/h. Also, the overall sorting efficiency of the machine was 92.34%, and no mechanical damage was observed to the onion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the effect of daily consumption of a concentrated garlic and onion extract on COVID-19 symptoms among elderly nursing home residents. Volunteers consumed a daily capsule of the concentrated powder rich in organosulfur compounds over 36 weeks during lunch. The incidence and severity of COVID-19 symptoms between the treatment and control groups were compared, along with monitoring the safety of consumption, incidence of other diseases, and medicine usage. The treatment group showed a significant reduction in both the number and severity of COVID-19 symptoms compared to the control group, with no significant adverse effects observed. No significant reduction in symptom duration was detected. This study provides preliminary evidence that concentrated garlic and onion extract may aid in the treatment of COVID-19 among older adults. These findings suggest potential public health benefits, emphasizing the need for further research to explore the immunomodulatory properties of these natural compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Weed management is a crucial aspect of agricultural productivity, particularly in onion cultivation, where competition with weeds can significantly impact crop yields. This study investigates the dynamics of weed dominance in onion cultivation on Ultisol soil, focusing on various weeding intervals. A field experiment assessed weed species composition and density across different weed-free periods: 0-20, 20-40, and 40-60 days after planting. Results indicated that weed diversity fluctuated, revealing 29 weed species consisting of broadleaf, grass, and sedge types. Overall, broadleaf weeds were the dominant species in the onion fields, constituting up to 77.78% of the weed population by the end of the study. This dominance was influenced by the weeding intervals, with a higher presence of aggressive species observed in each treatment. Frequent weeding intervals resulted in high density of broadleaf weeds. These findings have direct implications for onion farmers, highlighting the need for optimized weeding strategies to enhance onion production and providing insights into sustainable agricultural practices on Ultisol soils. By understanding the dynamics of weed dominance, farmers can better manage their crops, leading to increased yields and improved sustainability. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of weed-plant interactions and effective weed management in onion cultivation.

Coffee is an important agricultural commodity with increasing global demand, so optimizing the growth of coffee seedlings, especially during the seedling phase, is crucial to increase productivity. The use of natural plant growth regulators offers an environmentally friendly and economical solution. This study aims to evaluate the effect of natural plant growth regulators from onion extract and bean sprout extract on the growth of robusta coffee seedlings (Coffea canephora L.) during the seedling phase. The study was conducted using a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three treatments, namely control, onion extract, and bean sprout extract. The parameters measured included plant height, stem diameter, and number of leaves for six weeks. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and BNT test at the 5% level. The results showed that both natural plant growth regulators significantly increased the growth of coffee seedlings compared to the control. Bean sprout extract gave the best results for plant height (16.75 cm), while onion extract was superior in increasing stem diameter (4.65 mm) and number of leaves (12.20). Statistical analysis confirmed significant differences between treatments and controls for all parameters. Thus, the use of onion and bean sprout extracts as natural growth regulators has proven effective in increasing the growth of coffee seedlings in the seedling phase, offering an environmentally friendly and economical alternative for optimizing the growth of coffee seedlings.

Fusarium basal rot (FBR), caused by the ascomycete fungus Fusarium oxysporum, is an economically important disease of onion worldwide. The most economical and effective way to manage FBR would be the use of FBR resistant onion cultivars. This study was carried out to develop a rapid screening method for resistant onion cultivars in seedling stage. We used the F. oxysporum 19-385 isolate, which causes damping-off in onion seedlings and basal rot in onion bulbs. We optimized broth incubation and medium composition for the production of inoculum, and determined conidial concentration for the preparation of F. oxysporum infected soil. Ten commercial cultivars of onion were evaluated the seedling survival rates and heights by infected soil inoculation methods. As a result, ‘K-force’ was the most resistant cultivar with 97.4% of relative seedling survival rate against the pathogen, whereas ‘Sunpower’ was the most susceptible cultivar with 20.0% of relative seedling survival rate.

Persistence of spirotetramat and imidacloprid residues on tomato and onion after three applications of a combination formulation, spirotetramat 12% + imidacloprid 12%, @ 625 and 1250 mL ha−1 is reported. An easy and simple methodology was standardised for the extraction of residues in tomato, onion and soil followed by estimation and confirmation on LC-MS/MS using C18 column by keeping the positive mode of electrospray. The methodology was validated for selectivity, linearity, precision, repeatability, reproducibility and its limit of detection and quantification. The limit of quantification (LOQ) was worked out to be 0.05 mg kg−1. The results of recovery studies were consistent and more than 80% in all the matrices. No residues above LOQ were detected in tomato sample after 3rd day and after 7th day for onion samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Members of the bacterial genus Burkholderia are a routine threat to onion production worldwide. In addition to the common onion‐pathogenic species, Burkholderia cepacia, Burkholderia orbicola and Burkholderia gladioli, other Burkholderia species have the potential to cause onion disease. Despite their impacts and long‐known association with onion disease, the virulence mechanisms of onion‐pathogenic Burkholderia are far less well understood than Burkholderia in human and murine infection models. In this review, we will focus on genetically characterized virulence factors in species that contribute to symptom production in onion and other plant hosts. Specifically, we will focus on the variable roles of specialized protein secretion systems (T2SS, T3SS and T4SS) and secreted proteins, thiosulphinate tolerance gene (TTG) clusters and the well‐characterized phytotoxin toxoflavin in virulence. The regulation and roles of LuxI/LuxS quorum‐sensing system and IclR‐type transcriptional regulator, qsmR, as master regulators of secondary metabolite production and virulence factors will also be discussed. The TTG clusters, involved in bacterial tolerance to thiosulphinate defence compounds, exhibit onion tissue‐specific contributions to virulence. This suggests that Burkholderia onion pathogens have tissue‐specific virulence strategies for causing disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Onion waste was reported to be a valuable source of bioactive constituents with potential health-promoting benefits. This sparked a surge of interest among scientists for its valorization. This study aims to investigate the chemical profiles of peel and root extracts of four onion cultivars (red, copper-yellow, golden yellow and white onions) and evaluate their erectogenic and anti-inflammatory potentials. Methods UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS analysis and chemometric tools were utilized to determine the chemical profiles of onion peel and root extracts. The erectogenic potential of the extracts was evaluated using the PDE-5 inhibitory assay, while their anti-inflammatory activity was determined by identifying their downregulating effect on the gene expression of IL-6, IL-1β, IFN-γ, and TNF-α in LPS-stimulated WBCs. Results A total of 103 metabolites of diverse chemical classes were identified, with the most abundant being flavonoids. The organ’s influence on the chemical profiles of the samples outweighed the influence of the cultivar, as evidenced by the close clustering of samples from the same organ compared to the distinct separation of root and peel samples from the same cultivar. Furthermore, the tested extracts demonstrated promising PDE-5 and anti-inflammatory potentials and effectively suppressed the upregulation of pro-inflammatory markers in LPS-stimulated WBCs. The anti-inflammatory activities exerted by peel samples surpassed those of root samples, highlighting the importance of selecting the appropriate organ to maximize activity. The main metabolites correlated with PDE-5 inhibition were cyanidin 3-O-(malonyl-acetyl)-glucoside and quercetin dimer hexoside, while those correlated with IL-1β inhibition were γ-glutamyl-methionine sulfoxide, γ-glutamyl glutamine, sativanone, and stearic acid. Taxifolin, 3’-hydroxymelanettin, and oleic acid were highly correlated with IL-6 downregulation, while quercetin 4’-O-glucoside, isorhamnetin 4’-O-glucoside, and p-coumaroyl glycolic acid showed the highest correlation to IFN-γ and TNF-α inhibition. Conclusion This study provides a fresh perspective on onion waste as a valuable source of bioactive constituents that could serve as the cornerstone for developing new, effective anti-PDE-5 and anti-inflammatory drug candidates.

Burkholderia gladioli pv. alliicola, B. cepacia, and B. orbicola are common bacterial pathogens of onion. Onions produce organosulfur thiosulfinate defensive compounds after cellular decompartmentalization. Using whole-genome sequencing and in silico analysis, we identified putative thiosulfinate tolerance gene (TTG) clusters in multiple onion-associated Burkholderia species similar to those characterized in other Allium-associated bacterial endophytes and pathogens. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of three Burkholderia TTG cluster types, with both Type A and Type B being broadly distributed in B. gladioli, B. cepacia, and B. orbicola in both the chromosome and plasmids. Based on isolate natural variation and generation of isogenic strains, we determined the in vitro and in vivo contribution of TTG clusters in B. gladioli, B. cepacia, and B. orbicola. The Burkholderia TTG clusters contributed to enhanced allicin tolerance and improved growth in filtered onion extracts by all three species. TTG clusters also made clear contributions to B. gladioli foliar necrosis symptoms and bacterial populations. Surprisingly, the TTG cluster did not contribute to bacterial populations in onion bulb scales by these three species. Based on our findings, we hypothesize onion-associated Burkholderia may evade or inhibit the production of thiosulfinates in onion bulb tissues. [Graphic: see text] Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

Supervised field trials were conducted to study dissipation of combination product of beta-cyfluthrin and imidacloprid (Solomon) in various samples of lemon and onion. The pesticides were extracted and analysed using QuEChERS (with some modifications) based methods after validation of the method. Linearity, accuracy and precision data showed that the results were in the acceptable range as per SANTE 2019. The results of dissipation revealed that the initial accumulation of beta-cyfluthrin was 0.6 and 1.1 mg kg−1 in lemon and 0.24 and 0.97 mg kg−1 in onion samples at standard and double dose respectively. The residues of imidacloprid were 2.61 and 4 mg kg−1 in lemon and 0.36 and 0.53 in onion at two doses. The residues of beta-cyfluthrin followed first order dissipation in both the crops at standard dose and showed biphasic dissipation in double dose in both lemon and onion samples. Imidacloprid followed first-order dissipation in lemon in both the doses. Half-life of beta-cyfluthrin ranged from 3.6 to 23.2 days in lemon samples and that of imidacloprid was 15.1 and 21.5 days in two different doses. In onion the half-life ranged from 2.1 to 4.0 for beta-cyfluthrin and 2.8 to 5.2 days for imidacloprid in different doses. Theoretical maximum residue concentration (TMRC) was always less than maximum permissible intake (MPI) in all the samples suggesting that the use of combination product is safe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypercholesterolemia plays a pivotal role in the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases, and its prevention seems to be a crucial healthcare strategy to ameliorate these conditions. Subjects with mild hypercholesterolemia are frequently advised against using cholesterol-lowering drugs due to potential side effects, with an emphasis instead on prioritizing dietary adjustments and lifestyle modifications as the primary strategy. In this context, the use of dietary supplements based on medicinal plants may be recommended as a complementary approach to managing elevated cholesterol levels. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and potential therapeutic effectiveness of a standardized formulation containing extracts from garlic and onions in addressing the health concerns of individuals with slightly elevated cholesterol levels. A controlled, randomized, double-blind, two parallel-group study was conducted over 8 weeks, with clinical visits scheduled at baseline, weeks 2 and 4, as well as at the end of the study. The results revealed significant reductions in both low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol levels among participants who received the extract. Additionally, improvements in blood pressure, as well as in oxidative and inflammatory markers were observed, thus suggesting its potential as a valuable therapeutic intervention for managing mild hypercholesterolemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Onions contain valuable phytochemical compounds, including quercetin derivatives. This study explores the potential of onion extract as a natural additive in chicken patties. The optimized conditions involved sonication at 80% for 5 min with a 75% ethanol concentration. The onion extract exhibited total phenolic and flavonoid compound values of 255.63 mg GAE g−1 DR and 196.87 mg QE g−1 DR, respectively. The antioxidant activity of the onion extract was characterized by an IC50 of 12.74 µg/mL. This onion extract was dominated by quercetin derivatives (quercetin 4’-O-β-glycoside and quercetin-3-O-β-glycoside and quercetin-3,4’-O-β-diglycoside). Chicken patties treated with 2% onion extract exhibited superior pH stability, lowest thiobarbituric acid reactive substances level (0.40 mg/kg) and peroxide index (0.77 mEq O2/kg meat) and maintained color stability. Comparative analysis with BHT demonstrated the efficacy of onion extract in reducing lipid oxidation. These findings highlight the potential of a 2% onion extract as effective ingredient for enhancing the quality of chicken products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allium species, such as Onion (Allium cepa L.) and garlic (Allium sativum L.), have been cultivated worldwide for centuries due to its enormous medicinal uses as well as for cooking practices. A large number of RNA viruses have been known to cause significant yield losses and also adversely affect the quality of Allium species. Among them, iris yellow spot virus (IYSV) and associated garlic virus X (GVX) from tospovirus family cause huge number of yield losses in onion and garlic crop. The disease due to IYSV and GVX was recorded in different locations on the basis of their characteristic symptoms. Experiments revealed that IYSV has the ability to transmit mechanically in a very efficient manner while the dispersal of GVX was only limited through its vector as compared to mechanical transmission. The disease incidence of IYSV on onion was reported about 80% while 2% of GVX was reported on garlic by mechanical transmission. Result revealed that IYSV is more viruliferous and has the ability to transmit more efficiently on onion as compared to GVX on garlic. PCR amplified IYSV samples of approximately 800 base pairs (bps) product using specific primer targeting coat protein (Cp) region, whereas no amplicon was detected for GVX infected samples. Phylogenetic analyses of 2 isolates RP13PK and RP27PK have shown 99.3% homogeneity with isolate DQ233469 as compared to remaining isolates. Therefore, the findings indicate that IYSV is a highly variable virus, undergoing rapid evolution in the region, necessitating vigilant monitoring and effective management. The outcomes imply that greater caution is required for controlling IYSV compared to GVX. Disease management strategies should be formulated with careful consideration of the swift evolution patterns exhibited by IYSV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodium chloride (NaCl) can cause oxidative stress in plants, which represents a potential obstacle to the development of monocultures worldwide. Onion (Allium cepa L.) is a famous vegetable consumed and used in world cuisine. In the present study, we analyzed the influence of soil physicochemical profile and the remedial capacity of linalool on seed emergence, roots, and leaf growth in onions subjected to salt stress, as well as its in vivo and in vitro antioxidant potential, Fe2+chelating activity, and reducing power of Fe3+. The outcome of the soil analysis established the following order of abundance: sulfur (S) > calcium (Ca) > potassium (K) > magnesium (Mg) > sodium (Na). NaCl (150 mM) significantly reduced the emergence speed index (ESI), leaf and root length, while increasing the peroxidation content. The length of leaves and roots significantly increased after treatment with linalool (300 and 500 μg/mL). Our data showed negative correlations between seed emergence and K+ concentration, which was reversed after treatments. Linalool (500 μg/mL) significantly reduced oxidative stress, but increased Fe2+ concentration and did not show potential to reduce Fe3+. The in vivo antioxidant effect of linalool is thought to primarily result from an enzymatic activation process. This mechanism underscores its potential as a therapeutic agent for oxidative stress–related conditions. Further investigation into this process could unveil new avenues for antioxidant therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Onion waste was reported to be a valuable source of bioactive constituents with potential health-promoting benefits. This sparked a surge of interest among scientists for its valorization. This study aims to investigate the chemical profiles of peel and root extracts of four onion cultivars (red, copper-yellow, golden yellow and white onions) and evaluate their erectogenic and anti-inflammatory potentials. Methods: UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS analysis and chemometric tools were utilized to determine the chemical profiles of onion peel and root extracts. The erectogenic potential of the extracts was evaluated using the PDE-5 inhibitory assay, while their anti-inflammatory activity was determined by identifying their downregulating effect on the gene expression of IL-6, IL-1β, IFN-γ, and TNF-α in LPS-stimulated WBCs. Results: A total of 103 metabolites of diverse chemical classes were identified, with the most abundant being flavonoids. The organ's influence on the chemical profiles of the samples outweighed the influence of the cultivar, as evidenced by the close clustering of samples from the same organ compared to the distinct separation of root and peel samples from the same cultivar. Furthermore, the tested extracts demonstrated promising PDE-5 and anti-inflammatory potentials and effectively suppressed the upregulation of pro-inflammatory markers in LPS-stimulated WBCs. The anti-inflammatory activities exerted by peel samples surpassed those of root samples, highlighting the importance of selecting the appropriate organ to maximize activity. The main metabolites correlated with PDE-5 inhibition were cyanidin 3-O-(malonyl-acetyl)-glucoside and quercetin dimer hexoside, while those correlated with IL-1β inhibition were γ-glutamyl-methionine sulfoxide, γ-glutamyl glutamine, sativanone, and stearic acid. Taxifolin, 3'-hydroxymelanettin, and oleic acid were highly correlated with IL-6 downregulation, while quercetin 4'-O-glucoside, isorhamnetin 4'-O-glucoside, and p-coumaroyl glycolic acid showed the highest correlation to IFN-γ and TNF-α inhibition. Conclusion: This study provides a fresh perspective on onion waste as a valuable source of bioactive constituents that could serve as the cornerstone for developing new, effective anti-PDE-5 and anti-inflammatory drug candidates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Snack foods have experienced substantial growth in consumption globally, appealing to various age groups and becoming a significant segment of the food industry. The current investigation aimed to assess the nutritional, antioxidant, and sensory characteristics of an unconventional pie prepared from brown wheat flour(BWF), carob bean flour (CBF), onion, scallions, and roasted seaweeds. Chemical composition, minerals content, functional properties, total phenolics, total flavonoids, and antioxidants activity (DPPH), and phenolic profile of CBF, BWF, and binary combinations were evaluated. Five pies using different formulas (CGR0, CGR1, CGR2, CGR3, CGR4, and CGR5) were developed, where CGR0 serving as the control sample with 100% BWF. The other formulations (CGR1–CGR5) are binary combinations of BWF and CBF at various ratios (90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, and 50:50%). The onion pie samples were assayed for proximate composition, minerals, and sensory properties. CBF is rich in dietary fibers, with a content of 12.73%, substantial ash (4.79%), and carbohydrates (74.36%). Blending BWF with CBF significantly enhances the functional properties of the mixture, as indicated by improved WAC, AOC, EA, and FC compared to BWF. The addition of CBF into BWF in produced pie recipes led to significant increases in Fat, fiber, and ash. Additionally, substituting BWF with CBF in pie samples led to substantial decreases in carbohydrate content. The highest content of micro- and macro-elements was found in CGR5 samples, whereas the lowest was found in control samples CGR0. The results found that incorporating CBF into onion pie samples at levels between 10% to 40% can positively impact the sensory acceptability of the produced pie samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In early spring of 2020–2022, rot symptoms were observed on onion growing in Iwate and Akita Prefectures. The symptoms exhibited water-soaking rot on leaves, or light brown soft rot on leaf sheaths and bulbs, bringing death of whole plants. From lesions, LOPAT group IVa bacteria were isolated. Based on pathogenicity, bacteriological properties, and sequences of 16S rRNA and housekeeping genes, isolates were identified as Pseudomonas kitaguniensis. This is the first report of bacterial rot of onion caused by P. kitaguniensis. P. kitaguniensis caused strong rot on onion bulbs at 15–25 °C than 30 °C, different from other closely related species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several Allium cepa L. varieties, representing a versatile set of vegetables widely utilized by consumers, are appreciated for their bioactive properties, including antimicrobial, anticarcinogenic, and antioxidant capacities. The aim of this study is to compare the morphometric characteristics and biochemical profiles of four cultivars of A. cepa, two of them represented by the perennial Sicilian landrace "Cipudda agghiarola" (Allium × proliferum (Moench) Schrader), widely known as the Egyptian walking onion (WO), and by the landrace "Cipudduzza" belonging to the variety known as aggregatum (ON), which were compared with two commercial cultivars of A. cepa var. cepa (onion), Stoccarda (OS) and Rossa Carmen (OR). The experimental trial was conducted in Catania (Sicily), following organic growing practices. The randomized complete block experimental design was adopted with one experimental factor, the genotype (GE) effect. The harvested plants were characterized for their main morphometric parameters, according to the International Plant Genetic Resources (IGPR) descriptors. The biochemical activity was assessed by analyzing the total phenolic content (TPC) and the total flavonoid content (TFC). The antioxidant capacity was determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). The sugar profile (total sugars, sucrose, glucose, fructose, and fructooligosaccharides—FOS) and the volatile compounds by headspace-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (HS-GC/MS) were also determined. The OR bulb exhibited the highest TPC (16.3 mg GAE/g d.w., p < 0.01) and TFC (8.5 mg QE/g d.w., p < 0.01), with the highest antioxidant capacity measured by the FRAP (27.1 µmol TE/g d.w., p < 0.01) and DPPH assays (46.2 µmol TE/g d.w., p < 0.01). The ON bulb showed the highest ORAC value (209 µmol TE/g d.w., p < 0.01). Generally, the bulbs were richer in sugars (584 mg/g d.w., p < 0.01) than the leaf blade (239 mg/g d.w., p < 0.01), except for OR. Significant interaction between the genotype and plant organ was noted in the volatile compound profiles (p < 0.05) except for total ketones and carboxylic acids, where higher content was observed in the leaf blade compared to the bulb, regardless of the genotype. These findings highlight WO's potential for use in ready-to-eat products, enhancing its market value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Onions are known not only for their culinary importance but also for their nutritional and health-promoting properties. Both properties are closely linked to their content of organosulfur compounds, which account for up to 5% of the dry weight of an onion. Given the importance of these compounds, suitable analytical methods are required for their study. Two techniques should be highlighted in this context: gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS). In this study, eight different onion varieties were analyzed using two distinct analytical techniques: direct thermal desorption–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (DTD-GC-MS) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) on an LC-ESI-QqTOF instrument. Each method identified different organosulfur compounds, with LC-HRMS targeting 15 non-volatile compounds, such as cysteine sulfoxides, and GC-MS targeting 18 volatiles, such as disulfides and trisulfides. The results obtained were studied using Pearson correlations and principal component analysis. No precise correlation was found between the initial organosulfur compounds in onions and their hydrolysates. Consequently, although GC is one of the most employed techniques in the scientific literature, the use of LC-HRMS or a combination of both techniques may offer a more comprehensive and accurate description of the metabolomic profile of onions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past decade, there have been accumulating reports from researchers, farmers, and field extension personnel on the increasing incidence and spread of onion basal rot in India. Onion basal rot disease is mainly caused by Fusarium spp. This study aimed to validate the information on the active prevalence of F. falciforme and F. acutatum causing Fusarium basal rot (FBR) in Maharashtra. A survey was conducted, and the infected plants/bulbs were collected from fields of 38 locations comprising five districts of Maharashtra, namely, Nashik, Aurangabad, Solapur, Ahmednagar, and Pune, in 2023. This disease was prevalent in high-moisture and high-oil-temperature conditions and the symptoms were observed in most of the fields, with the FBR incidence ranging from 17 to 41%. The available data of basal rot incidence from 1998 to 2022 were analyzed, based on which the prevalence of FBR was 11–50%. Tissue from the infected samples of onion bulbs was used for the isolation. The identification was performed based on colony morphology and microscopic features and confirmed through molecular markers using ITS and Tef-1α gene primers. Of the ten Fusarium isolates collected from selected locations, six species were confirmed as F. acutatum and four as F. falciforme. The pathogenicity tests performed with onion seedlings and bulbs under moist conditions proved that both F. acutatum and F. falciforme independently could cause basal rot disease symptoms but with different degrees of virulence. Koch's postulates were confirmed by reisolating the same pathogens from the infected plants. Thus, the active prevalence of FBR was confirmed in Maharashtra and also, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of F. falciforme and F. acutatum causing basal rot of onion independently in Maharashtra, India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Onion detopping is one of the unit operations involved in the cultivation of onion crop. Manual onion detopping is time consuming and highly drudgery. Therefore, an onion detopping machine was designed and developed for higher efficiency. An efficient detopping mechanism designed to achieve the maximum performance parameters in terms of detopping efficiency, per cent damage of onion bulbs and capacity of the onion detopping machine. By considering the crop parameters and functional requirement, four types of shearing designs of detopping tool namely, lead screw, square shaft with two cutting edges, square shaft with four cutting edges and helical roller were designed, developed and evaluated. Among four different shearing mechanisms, the helical roller type detopping tool was found to be effective in detopping the onion leaves. The helical roller type detopping tool had a detopping efficiency (98.44±1.07%), per cent damage (2.05±0.45%), conveying efficiency (97.60±1.02 %) and capacity (372.60±13.95 kg/h), respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both onion and shallot are the most common ingredients to use for many recipes. Consuming onion and shallot provide health benefits including antidiabetic effects. However, the benefits of onion and shallot mixture at different ratios have not been studied in terms of total phenolic content, total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity, and antidiabetic effects. Our study revealed that shallot significantly increased total phenolic content in the mixture from 492 ± 32 μg mL−1 (100% v/v onion) to 803 ± 24 μg mL−1 (100% v/v shallot) depending on the ratios of shallot in the mixture. Shallot also significantly enhanced total antioxidant capacity, SOD-like activity, α-amylase inhibition, and α-glucosidase inhibition in the mixture. Shallot juice exhibited the highest percentage inhibition of α-amylase activity (40.51 ± 1.57%) and α-glucosidase activity (89.61 ± 2.85%) in comparison to those of onion juice and the mixture. In addition, significant positive correlation between phenolic compound and different variables was observed (P < 0.05). Phenolic compounds present in onion and shallot are probably responsible for many health benefits including antidiabetic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This study, conducted at Ege University, Odemis Vocational School, aimed to investigate the influence of poultry manure applications on the nutrient, sucrose, fructose, and glucose content of second crop onions. In this research, three onion varieties (Burgaz, Snow White, Champion), three different doses of poultry manure (20, 40, 60 t ha−1), and mineral fertilizer were employed. An unfertilized plot was employed as the control. The experiment was designed using a split-split plot arrangement and replicated three times. The analysis comprised the assessment of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and copper (Cu) contents in samples collected from both onion leaves and bulbs. In addition, sucrose, fructose, and glucose levels in the bulb were determined. The Snow White variety contains the highest level of fructose, sucrose, and glucose compared to other varieties. In the exploration of the impact of macro-micro element contents in bulbs, the Champion variety exhibited significantly higher levels of N, Ca, Fe, and Cu compared to other varieties. Additionally, P, K, and Na contents were significantly higher in Champion and Snow White varieties compared to Burgaz bulbs. The difference between the applications of these nutrients was insignificant except for N, P, Na, and Fe. The Nitrogen, Potassium, Sodium, and Iron contents of soils were the lowest control, while the highest dose application had the highest value at 60 t ha−1 dose. The difference among the applications in these nutrients was significant except for Mg and Cu. It may be recommended to use 40 t ha-1 dose in onion cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Soil Sciences & Agricultural Engineering is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In India, cabbage is attacked by approximately 35 insect pests; due to the high nutritional value and succulent nature of cabbage, it has attracted the attention of several insect pests. Monocultures are low-diversity agroecosystems that may be more prone to outbursts of pests. The present study aimed to determine the impact of different intercrops on the incidence of insect pests on cabbage. The outcomes revealed that during Rabi 2021-22, populations of Plutella xylostella and Spodoptera litura were recorded for the first time during the 51st standard meteorological week (SMW). The incidence of aphids was first recorded in the 2nd SMW and reached the maximum level in the 8th SMW along with P. xylostella and S. litura. The lowest incidence of P. xylostella and aphids was recorded in the T6-Cabbage + Coriander treatment (2:2), followed by the T5-Cabbage + Coriander treatment (2:1); the maximum incidence of P. xylostella and aphids was observed in the T3-Cabbage+ Radish treatment (2:1), and all the intercropping treatments were superior to those used for the sole cabbage crop, with the maximum incidence of P. xylostella. The lowest incidence of S. litura T6-Cabbage + Coriander (2:2) was followed by T5-Cabbage + Coriander (2:1), and the maximum incidence of S. litura was observed in the T1-Cabbage + Onion treatment (2:1). The yield was the highest in the T6-Cabbage+ Coriander (2:2) treatment (257.33 q/ha main crop, 3.30 q/ha), followed by the T5-Cabbage+ Coriander 2:1 treatment (233.33 q/ha main crop, 1.83 q/ha) and the T3-Cabbage+ Radish treatment (2:1) (197.33 q/ha main crop, 25.32 q/ha). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An assessment of 16 onion varieties was conducted to evaluate their resistance to purple blotch disease, primarily caused by various Alternaria species, including Alternaria tenuissima. The findings revealed that none of the varieties exhibited complete resistance to the disease. The varieties were classified into three distinct categories based on their susceptibility levels. Eight varieties had a moderate resistance level, with an infection rate of 11–20% of the leaf area. These varieties, namely Ellora China King, Ellora Wonder 101, Onion Shyamla-111, Bhima Raj, Bhima Super, F1 Kalia, China Nashik Red, and Bhima Light Red, were promising. On the other hand, seven varieties, including Bhima Red, Bhima Shakti, Bhima Kiran, F1 AGNR 102, Bhima Shubhra, Panchaganga, and Bhima Dark Red, were categorized as moderately susceptible, showing infection in the range of 21–40% of the leaf area. Remarkably, Pune Fursungi stood out as the only variety entirely susceptible to the disease, with a significant 41–60% of the leaf area affected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dwindling water resources with inept field water management impends sustainable agricultural production in semi-arid areas of Ethiopia. Thus, the adaption and adoption of improved irrigation water running lines are indispensable and imperative to recuperate water productivity in areas where water resources are inadequate. The ground experiments were pointed to elucidate the weight of conventional, alternate, and fixed furrow irrigation systems under irrigation levels of 100 %, 70 %, and 40 % of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) on onion growth, yield, water productivity, and economic return in Alage, Central, Ethiopia. The field trials were conducted at nine treatments arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications and water was managed at fixed intervals with variable depth approach. The result illustrated that furrow systems in conjunction with irrigation levels had a weighty pertain (P

The cultural, morphological, and molecular variations among 22 isolates of Stemphylium vesicarium (Wallr.) E. Simmons, collected from different locations, was carried out. Significant variations were observed among the Stemphylium isolates regarding colony diameter, mean radial growth rate and sporulation on PDA media. The colonies of S. vesicarium isolates exhibited diverse mycelial growth characteristics, including velvety, cottony, or fluffy textures and a range of colours from whitish to dark grey, olivaceous with a greenish tinge or brownish. The margins of the colonies were observed to be filiform, displaying a filamentous appearance, with entire and undulate shapes and a whitish colouration. The conidiophores of Stemphylium isolates displayed a wide range of dimensions, with average length ranging from 36.81 μm to 66.44 μm and average breadth from 3.05 μm to 6.96 μm. Similarly, the conidia exhibited variations in size, colour, shape, average length (23.31 μm–43.18 μm) and average breadth (12.84 μm–23.13 μm). The conidia were mainly light brown or brown and displayed ovoid, oblong, or ovoid-to-oblong shapes. The number and presence of transverse and longitudinal septa also varied among the isolates. Fifteen RAPD primers generated 192 banding patterns. SV4, OPL5, and SV5 were identified as the most polymorphic primers, while OPA3, OPF10, OPN7, OPS7, and OPS10 produced the fewest polymorphic bands. The average polymorphic information content (PIC) value was 0.37, with OPA5 and OPC8 showing the highest PIC values. Cluster analysis based on genetic similarity revealed five distinct clusters, but no clear correlation between isolates and their collection sites was observed. In the phylogenetic analysis, based on Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and Glycerol-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase 1(gpd1) gene sequences, 20 isolates obtained from diseased onion leaves formed a distinct cluster and exhibited sequence similarity with ex-type sequence of Stemphylium vesicarium. Additionally, two isolates from diseased garlic samples showed similarity with ex-type sequence of Stemphylium eturmiunum. This is the first-time report of S. eturmiunum on Indian garlic under field conditions.

This study examined the determinants of onion commercialization of smallholder farmers in the Wolayita and Gomo zones of southern Ethiopia. Both primary and secondary data were used in this study. Primary data were collected from randomly selected 160 onion producers by using a structured questionnaire. Both descriptive statistics and the double-hurdle econometric model were employed in the analysis. The descriptive statistics indicated that the mean commercialization level of smallholder farmers in the study area was 79.51%, highlighting that onion producers in this region primarily focus on marketing their produce. Using the econometric model the first-stage double hurdle results revealed that family size, farming experience, frequency of extension contacts, and distance to the nearest market were factors significantly affecting the market participation decision of onion producers. The second stage of the double hurdle results indicates that education level, family size, frequency of extension contacts, land size allotted for onion production, and distance to the nearest market were factors that significantly affected the level of onion commercialization. Therefore, policies aimed at increasing farmers' access to better road networks and transportation facilities, improving access to education, promoting agricultural training programs, and improving extension services are recommended to improve the commercialization of onion production.

The use of beneficial microbes is hitherto known and constantly increasing in agriculture due to their positive impact on crop growth and yield, and their minimal negative impact on the environment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of eight Trichoderma strains of diverse origin on crop growth and yield of onion under field conditions. The identity of the strains used in the current study was confirmed by ITS and Tef1 gene sequencing. Field experiments were conducted in the Rabi season for 2 years (2020–21, and 2022–23) to evaluate the effect of the application of eight different Trichoderma strains that were applied individually and separately as eight different treatments (T1–T8) in experimental plots. In the plant growth promotion assay conducted in vitro, all strains showed the ability to produce IAA (indole-3-acetic acid), with levels ranging from 23.52 μg/mL (T6) to 45.54 μg/mL (T3). Our results revealed that Trichoderma treated experimental plots displayed better growth indices (plant height, pseudostem diameter), RWC (Relative water content), leaf chlorophyll content, and yield-attributing features like biomass (bulb and root dry mass), bulb diameter, and harvested bulb yield compared to the untreated control plants. In terms of yield, the T2 strain exhibited the highest bulb yield consistently for both the years (2020–21 and 2022–23) followed by T3 being statistically at par with T5. Among all the evaluated Trichoderma strains, the strain T2 (OGRDT2) and T3 (GRDT1), taxonomically identified as Trichoderma longibrachiatum, registered bulb yield of 32.24 t/ha and 30.76 t/ha, respectively while T5 (GRDT3), identified as Trichoderma asperellum, registered 30.55 t/ha average yield for 2 years compared to 24.08 t/ha average yield recorded for untreated control plants with an increase of 34, 28 and 27%, respectively. Based on our findings, it is concluded that the T. longibrachiatum strains OGRDT2 (T2) and GRDT1 (T3), T. asperellum strain GRDT3 (T5) are the best inducers of the onion crop growth and yield in the Rabi season and would be explored further for its commercial application in onion farming.

The aim of this study is to extract essential oil from Indian onion bulbs (Allium Cepa L. var. aggregatum) using the microwave hydrodiffusion-gravity (MHG) method. The operating parameters considered include drying pre-treatment, material size (1-3 cm), microwave power (300-600 W), and extraction time (15-75 min). Optimal extraction conditions were identified through a two-stage process: initially screening data using a full factorial design, followed by process optimization using a face-centred central composite design (FCCD). The oil yield increased with extraction time up to a certain point, after which it plateaued, indicating no further yield improvements. The size of the material had an impact on how well microwave energy transferred; smaller particles provided larger surface areas, which improved extraction efficiency. Furthermore, the reduction in moisture content due to drying directly affected essential oil production, leading to higher yields. Sudden temperature increases could negatively impact oil quality, making temperature control during extraction critical. The microwave power level also played a significant role in the extraction process. The highest oil yield, 2.78%, was obtained with an extraction time of 75 min, a microwave power of 600 W, and a material size of 1 cm. Additionally, the extracted onion oil contained cyclohexanol, 5-methyl-2-(1-methylethenyl), and Z-citral.

The formulation of food products is a very important part of achieving food safety and food security through the provision of healthy and nutritious food products. Success requires proper characterization of the basic components. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the nutritional parameters of some spices and soumbala for formulating a soumbala-based seasoning rich in bioactive compounds. Six spices (onion, parsley, anise, chili, black pepper, and guinea pepper) and soumbala were used for the study. Physicochemical and biochemical parameters were evaluated using standard methods. Results showed that the acidity ranged from 1.22%-4.26% for guinea pepper and Parsley respectively. The pH of onion was most acidic (5.73). Soumbala was slightly basic (7.21). The dry matter content ranged from 86.44%-94.34% for guinea pepper and green aniseed, respectively. Soumbala was richer in protein (35.27%) and green anise had the lowest content (10.54%). Soumbala is richer in lipids, more energetic, while onion was richer in carbohydrates. Considering these high macromolecular contents and their richness in micronutrients and bioactive compounds, formulating with an appropriate blend of these ingredients would provide a nutritious and functional food for the wellbeing of consumers.

A field experiment was carried out at Melkassa Agricultural Research Center from 2015 to 2017 to determine the seasonal fluctuation of onion thrips on onion in three consecutive growing seasons. Onion was planted on 10 x 10 m measuring plots and replicated three times. Thrips was counted on fifteen randomly selected plants from the central row of each plot. The thrips population was significantly different in different growth stages of onion. During the bulb enlargement stage, the number of thrips/plant was significantly higher than in the early growth stage, but insignificant differences between bulb enlargement stage and maturation growth stages in both years. Thrips population was significantly varied between the dry and rainy season, with much higher populations in the mid-vegetative growth stage than early growth stages in all seasons. The highest thrips populations were recorded in the dry hot and dry cool seasons, while lower numbers were counted in the rainy season where the highest rainfall recorded season in both years. The population of onion thrips was significantly positively correlated with maximum temperature, while a significantly negatively correlated with rainfall and relative humidity. The population of thrips was not correlated with minimum temperature and wind speed. Future research on the management onion of thrips should consider the growth stage and production season of onions for sustainable integrated thrips management program

AbstractOnion basal rot poses a serious threat to onion production in the Upper East Region of Ghana. A survey was conducted in 2022 in three purposefully sampled districts and a municipality in the region to determine the incidence and severity of the disease and to assess the perception and knowledge of farmers on the spread and control of the disease in the Region. In each district/municipality, three communities were purposefully selected for the study. A questionnaire was administered to 180 onion farmers randomly selected to assess the farmers’ perceptions, knowledge, and agronomic practices. Fifteen onion fields, from each district/municipality, were randomly selected for the assessment of the incidence and severity of the disease. Symptomatic onion plants were collected for pathogen isolation using potato dextrose agar. The causal organism was identified as Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cepae based on morphological characteristics and confirmed by pathogenicity test. Under irrigated conditions, the incidence of onion bulb rot was highest in Bansi (28.92%) and lowest in Kuka (19.47%). The disease severity index, on the other hand, was highest and lowest at Yalugu (44.25%) and Bugri Corner (30.15%), respectively. The disease incidence was significantly higher in the rainy season than in the dry season.

A field experiment was carried out during the two successive winter seasons of 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, in the private vegetable farm at Diarb Negm District, Sharkia Governorate, Egypt, to study the effect of mineral nitrogen levels and plant density on fresh weight, total N, P, and K uptake, total yield, nitrogen use efficiency, and bulb quality of the onion (cv. Ahmar tantawy). This experiment included 12 treatments, which were combinations between four levels of mineral nitrogen (0, 192, 240, and 288 kg N/ha) and three plant densities (4, 5, and 6 rows per ridge, equalling 33.33, 41.67, and 50 plants per m2, respectively). These treatments were arranged in a split-plot design with three replications. Nitrogen levels were randomly arranged in the main plots, and plant densities were randomly distributed in the subplots. The interaction between nitrogen levels at 288 kg N/ha and plant density (4 rows/ridge) gave the highest values of fresh weight of leaves, bulbs, and total fresh weight/plant, percentages of the yield of grade 1, grade 2, and exportable yield from total yield, and increased total N, P, and K uptake by the plant, total carbohydrates, total sugars, and vitamin C contents in bulbs. The interaction between N at 244 kg/ha and high plant density (6 rows/ridge) increased total yield per hectare and nitrogen use efficiency in onion plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]