Onion Seed Production: Quick Reference - Organic Seed

Alliance
seedalliance.org/publications/onion-seed-production-quick-reference

Figure 2. Onion umbels drying on

landscape fabric.
Onions are a biennial so seed production
must take into account a 2-year reproductive
cycle.

Production

Year 1: Producing the onion crop

Onions prefer dry hot summers and develop best in sandy or silty loam soils with high
water-holding capacity and a consistent water supply. They require high nitrogen and
phosphorus, but excess nitrogen can be detrimental. Since onion seed populations need
to be in the range of 120-200 plants, a greater number of bulbs will be needed the first
year to account for any selection and bulbs that deteriorate during winter storage. A
good number of onion plants for the first year might be 250-300. Plant transplants 3-4
inches apart to provide room for bulb formation. After the bulbs have formed, selections
can be made based on important traits for the population. After 50% of the tops have
fallen over, knock the rest down and wait a few days before digging the bulbs up and
windrowing them for 1-2 weeks. Turn bulbs to avoid sunburn. The best onion bulbs
should have their tops cut and be stored in burlap sacks in a humid (65-75% relative
humidity, RH), cool (32-34°F) area with good air circulation.

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 Figure 1. Onions just before harvest. When 50% of the tops have fallen, knock the others
over.

Year 2: Producing the onion seed

Since onion is highly outcrossing and insect-pollinated, it should be isolated from other
onion varieties by at least 0.5-1 mile. More distance is necessary if varieties are different
colors and/or different shapes. Select onion bulbs that have no disease, sprouting, or
elongation after storage for planting. If selecting for single centers or other internal
qualities, cut the top third of each bulb off horizontally to evaluate internal
characteristics before planting. Allow selected bulbs to sit and heal over for 2-3 days
before transplanting.

Figure 2. Onion umbels drying on landscape fabric.

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At least 120 plants should be used to maintain population integrity. The bulbs should be
planted 12 inches apart in rows that are 18-24 inches apart. Plants may need to be
staked to avoid falling over or to protect them from being knocked over by wind. Clear,
warm weather is beneficial for pollination, and temperatures between 65°F and 95°F are
best for seed set. Overhead watering can increase the potential for disease and should
be avoided during flowering and seed set. Approximately 3-4 weeks after fertilization
seed enters the “dough stage.” Three more weeks after that the seed should be mature.
Begin harvesting once the capsules are open and the black seeds are visible. Cut seed
heads 4-6 inches below the umbel and lay on landscape cloth. Allow to dry for up to 2
weeks and turn to avoid sunburn if in direct sun. It may take 2-3 weeks to harvest all
bulbs as flower maturity can be variable. Thresh the seed by rubbing by hand, through
screens, or combining. A combination of winnowing and screening will be needed to get
the seed fully clean. For lots with low germination or persistent bracts and stems,
flotation may be a useful technique as the bracts, stems and immature seeds will float
and can be easily skimmed off. If flotation is used, dry the seed immediately and do not
allow seed to be immersed in water any longer than is necessary. In other words, don’t
start the process unless you intend to finish it.

Figure 3. Floating onion seed. Clockwise from the top left: Add water and pour off
any floating debris or light seed. Be prepared with a strainer to catch heavier
seed.

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 Figure 4. From left to right: Continue pouring until all light material is gone.
Pour final water out, catching seed in a strainer with holes smaller than the
seed.

Onion seed dried to 6.5% moisture and stored under favorable conditions (40-60°F and
<40%RH) will last 1-2 years. Properly dried seed that is stored in a freezer will keep
indefinitely.

Figure 5. Drying onion seed after floatation.

Selection and Variety Improvement

Because of the 2-year reproductive cycle, traits will be evaluated during both bulb
production and storage to improve the population.

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 Figure 6. Selections for bulbs to store: any disease and small bulbs are discarded (bulbs left
of the marker are discarded).

Trait Timing

Seedling vigor 2-3 weeks after seedling emergence

Early bulb formation Early summer

Uniformity of neck falldown Late summer, 1-2 weeks before harvest

Neck closure Anytime after field curing

Bulb shape Anytime after field curing

Bulb color & intensity Anytime after field curing

Bulb uniformity Anytime after field curing

Skin/wrapper quality Anytime after field curing

Days to maturity At harvest

Yield: total & marketable (whole plot & Anytime after field curing
weight per bulb)

Disease resistance During growing season and after harvest

Insect resistance During growing season and after harvest

Bulb firmness Periodically throughout winter, 2-8 months

after harvest

Sprouting resistance Periodically throughout winter, 2-8 months

after harvest

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 Storagability Periodically throughout winter, 2-8 months
after harvest

Flavor Soon after harvest, and again after several

months in storage

Disease
Plant disease-free seed. Grow onions in well-drained soils. Thoroughly cure and dry
bulbs after harvest: undercut or pull mature bulbs and leave in the field for 1-2 weeks
followed by well ventilated storage and curing in a covered shed or greenhouse. Save
only fully mature, well-cured bulbs. Avoid damaging or bruising the bulbs. Bury or
compost any culled bulbs. Use a 3-4 year crop rotation if possible before producing
onions on the same ground again. Store the bulbs at 33-40°F and 70-75%RH. Diseases
are classified by severity with a class of 1 being the most severe and 3 the least severe.

Disease Type Severity Favorable conditions

class

Neck rot (Botrytis aclada) Seedborne 1 Storage of immature bulbs with

green, soft necks

Black mold (Aspergillus niger) Seedborne 2 Storage of immature, soft bulbs

Smudge (Colletotrichum Seedborne 3 Warm (80°F) and moist at harvest

circinans) time

Botrytis blight (Botrytis cinerea) Seedborne 3 Moderately warm (65-80°F) and

extended wet period

Basal rot (Fusarium oxysporum, Seedborne 3 Soil temperatures 57-90°F,

sp. cepae) optimum 80°F

Stemphylium leaf blight Seedborne 3 Moderate temperature (70-80°)

(Stemphylium vesicarium) and heavy dew, fog or rain

Purple blotch (Alternaria porri) Seedborne 3 Moderate temperature (70-80°)

and heavy dew, fog or rain

Downy mildew (Peronospora Foliar

destructor)

Pink root (Pyrenochaeta Root

terrestris)

Onion smut (Urocystes cepulae) Foliar

Onion thrips (Thrips tabaci) Insect

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 Disease Type Severity Favorable conditions
class

Onion maggots (Hylemyia Insect

antiqua)

This resource was made possible thanks to the Montana Department of Agriculture’s Specialty
Crop Block Grant Program.

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