Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) in Onion Crop for High-Quality Yield and Improved Soil Health
Onions are an essential part of every kitchen, especially in Indian households, where they are a daily dietary staple. With growing demand for onions, ensuring sustainable cultivation practices is critical to meet consumer needs while maintaining soil health. Maharashtra leads in onion production, cultivating the crop on approximately 1 lakh hectares. Other major onion-growing states consist of Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Rajasthan.
To achieve high-quality yields, onion crops require medium-textured soils with good drainage, as waterlogging can damage roots. An ideal soil pH between 6 and 7 ensures nutrient availability and minimizes trace element deficiencies. Intensive farming practices and imbalanced use of NPK fertilizers, however, have led to soil health deterioration. This is where Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) plays a vital role by improving soil health, enhancing yield, and fostering sustainable farming.
What is Integrated Nutrient Management (INM)?
Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) is a balanced approach to crop nutrition that combines organic, inorganic, and biological sources of nutrients to maintain soil health and maximize crop productivity.
Key Components of INM –
- Organic fertilizers: Farmyard manure (FYM) and compost.
- Inorganic fertilizers: NPK-based fertilizers like DAP and MOP.
- Biofertilizers: Products like Mosaic Renuvis (PSB biofertilizer).
- Green manures: Crops like sunhemp and dhaincha.
- Biostimulants: Seaweed extracts, humic acids, and beneficial microorganisms like mycorrhizal fungi.
Why is INM Necessary?
Modern agricultural practices demand sustainable solutions to address challenges such as declining soil productivity, rising fertilizer costs, and environmental degradation. INM provides multiple benefits:
- Improves Soil Health: Enhances porosity, water-holding capacity, and nutrient availability.
- Boosts Crop Yield: Increases onion yields by up to 66.5%.
- Environmental Sustainability: Reduces greenhouse gas emissions and pollution.
- Prevents Soil Erosion: Stabilizes soil structure for long-term farming.
Importance of INM for Onion Cultivation –
Onion plants have shallow, fibrous roots that require frequent and balanced fertilization for optimal growth. Improper crop nutrition can lead to several issues:
- Weak root development and poor plant establishment.
- Inadequate leaf greenness and growth.
- Poor neck development, bulb size, weight, and shelf life.
INM ensures a steady supply of nutrients throughout the growth stages, resulting in healthier plants and superior bulb quality.
How to Apply Integrated Nutrient Management in Onion –
Organic Fertilizer Application
- Apply 2-3 tons of well-decomposed FYM or compost per acre during land preparation. This enhances soil organic matter and improves storage quality of onions.
Biofertilizers and Biostimulants
- Use 500 ml Mosaic Renuvis (PSB biofertilizer) at planting / transplanting and again after 30-35 days. It converts unavailable nutrients to available forms and reduces chemical fertilizer toxicity.
- Incorporate biostimulants like seaweed extracts, humic acid, and beneficial microorganisms to boost crop resilience against stress.
Green Manuring
- If FYM or compost is unavailable, green manure crops like sunhemp can be incorporated into the soil before planting. This improves soil properties and adds up to 10 tons of organic content per acre.
Inorganic Fertilizer Application
- Nitrogen (N): Apply 100 kg/ha in split doses for sustained growth.
- Phosphorus (P): Apply 50 kg/ha at planting for root development. Use Mosaic DAP (50-75 kg/acre) for best results.
- Potassium (K): Apply 50 kg/ha for bulb size, color, and shelf life. Use Mosaic MOP (50 kg) or Mosaic Reva field-grade SOP (25 kg/acre).
Secondary Nutrients
- Calcium: Strengthens cell walls and prevents bulb decay. Apply 25 kg Mosaic Reva Calcium per acre.
- Magnesium and Sulfur: Maintain greenness and increase pungency. Use 50 kg Mosaic K-Mag and 10 kg sulfur per acre.
Micronutrient Application
Based on soil testing, apply micronutrients like zinc, boron, and manganese. Recommended doses:
- Mosaic Magna Zinc: 250 ml/acre.
- Mosaic Magna Boron: 200 ml/acre (35-40 days after planting).
Fertilizer Application Schedule –
| Method of Application | Establishment Stage (1 to 21 Days) | Vegetative Growth Stage (21-40 Days) | Bulb Initiation (40-60 Days) | Bulb Development (60-85 Days) | Maturity (85 -100 Days) |
| Soil Application | DAP: 30 kg K-Mag: 25 kg Reva Calcium: 12.5 kg | MOP: 25 kg K-Mag: 25 kg Reva Calcium: 12.5 kg | |||
| Biofertilizers | Renuvis Phospro or Phospro-coat: 500 ml/acre | Renuvis Phospro or Phospro-coat: 500 ml/acre | |||
| Foliar Application (Mosaic Magna) | Magna Zn: 250 ml/acre Magna B: 200 ml/acre | ||||
| Fertigation (Mosaic Reva) | 19:19:19 / 12:61:00 3 kg/acre (3 doses) | 13:00:45 / Calcium Nitrate 5 kg/acre (2 doses) | 0:52:34 5 kg/acre (2 doses) | 0:52:34 5 kg/acre (2 doses) | SOP 00:00:50 5 kg/acre (2 doses) |
Conclusion –
Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) in onions ensures sustainable farming by enhancing soil health, improving crop yield, and addressing environmental concerns. Incorporating a mix of organic, inorganic, and biological fertilizers creates a balanced nutrient supply, leading to healthier plants and better bulb quality. For optimal results, follow the recommended fertilization schedule and adopt eco-friendly farming practices.
Boost your onion yields and improve soil health with Mosaic’s range of fertilizers and biofertilizers!