Hybrid Seed Production in Onion.

Onion, Allium cepaL., is grown worldwide for its fleshy bulbs which are used as food and medicinal purposes. Based upon global review of the major vegetables, onion ranks second to tomato in area under cultivation. Isolation of male sterility in cv. ‘Italian Red’ onion led to the development of many hybrid cultivars for various geoecological regions. Although the development of onion hybrid culti-vars started in the early 1930s, popularity of onion hybrid varieties is still continuing. In fact, almost two-third of onion varieties in catalogues of major seed companies are listed under hybrid category. This review deals with the floral characteristics, male sterility, production of hybrid onion and method for onion seed production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]