5 new varieties of onion seeds with more production value launched in India

In order to maintain the steady production of onions during all seasons in the country, Directorate of Onion and Garlic Research (DOGR) launched five new varieties of onion seeds (see below) of which two varieties can grow in the monsoon season in the country.

According to the DOGR, the productivity of kharif onion is very low between 10 to 12 tones per hectare due to to high incidence of foliar as well as soil-borne diseases and weed population.

The DOGR is carrying out research simultaneously on diseases and pests affecting the crops. Officials said that research is on to develop these new variety of seeds that can have higher yield.

Officials say that besides the increase in production, these varieties can also be stored for a longer duration.

A group of five scientists of DOGR has done research for 10 years and introduced these varieties in the first week of September in the country.

DOGR director Jai Gopal said, “India produces 55 to 60 lakh tonnes of onion annually. Of this, 50 per cent produce comes from rabi onion harvested in April-May, 30 per cent from late kharif harvested in January-February and 20 per cent from kharif onion harvested in October-November. The rabi crop harvested in April-May is stored all over the country and slowly made available for domestic supply. There is a critical gap in supply in the country from October-December and as a result the prices shoot up. The good harvest in kharif season will help bridge the gap.”

Why Bhima
The varieties have been named after river Bhima which flows through Rajgurunagar, where the centre is located

Bhima Super
A red onion identified for release for kharif season in Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Chhattisgarh. It can also grow in the late kharif season. It can yield 20-22 tonnes per hectare in kharif and 40-45 tonnes per hectare in late kharif season. Bulbs attain maturity within 100-105 days.

Bhima Dark Red
This onion has been identified for release in Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu for kharif season. Average marketable yield is 20-22 tonnes per hectare.

Bhima Red
This variety which is already recommended for rabi season in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, is also recommended for release for kharif season in Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu. The average marketable yield in kharif season is 19-21 tonne per hectare, in late kharif season is 48-52 tonne per hectare and 30-32 tonne per hectare in rabi season.

Bhima Shweta
Also recommended for rabi, it is recommended for release for kharif in Chhattishgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu. Average marketable yield during kharif season is 18-20 tonnes per hectare and in rabi is 26-30 tonnes per hectare.

Bhima Shubhra
This white onion variety has been recommended for Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu for kharif season. Average marketable yield during kharif is 18-20 tonnes hectare and during late kharif 36-42 tonnes per hectare.