AgricINTERNATIONAL

There are different problems associated with onion seed production in northwestern region of Himalayas like extreme winters during vegetative growth or bulb development, high temperature during bolting, rains during the flowering period and seed setting that cause shattering. Besides humid conditions promote the epidemics of the diseases. Irrigtion is another major problem. The quality seed production in onion can be enhanced by proper mulching, plant geometry and pollination. Mulching conserves soil moisture, manages weeds and insect pests and enhances yield by more efficient utilization of soil nutrients. Appropriate crop geometry enhances the growth and development of plant due to reduced competition between the plants for the resources such as water, light, aerial space and nutrients thereby increases the seed yield. Onion is highly cross-pollinated and it produces good quality seed only in the presence of abundant pollinators. Pollinators affect the seed yield positively due to increased seed set.