Onion (Allium cepa L.): Breeding for quality traits and export

Abstract

Among Allium crops, onion and garlic are exclusively grownand consumed in the form of fresh as well as processedproducts. In India, onion and garlic are integral part of dailydiet in every household, grown under three crop seasonsi.e. kharif, late kharif and rabi. The Rabi crop occupies morethan 50% of production. India is the 2nd largest producer ofonion and garlic after China. Development of varietieshaving attractive bulbs with uniform in size, shape, colourand uniform maturity, high dry matter and long storage life.As well as additional desirable features like intact andattractive skins, thick leaf scales as uniform rings, singlecentred bulb, thin neck, and resistant to premature bolting,diseases and pests. Each of these characteristics isgenetically inherited but can be modified by environmentaland cultural practices. However, several organizationsworked/released many varieties and hybrids as well asproduction technologies, which increases area, production,productivity and export of onion.v