Advisory for the Month of March 2026

Currently, rabi onion bulb and seed crops are in the field. Late kharif onion bulb crop has been harvested or being harvested. Garlic crop is near maturity and may be harvested and stored. The following management practices are recommended in this regard.

A. For standing rabi onion crop

• Foliar application of micronutrient mixture (5 g/L) is recommended at 60 and 75 days after transplanting.
• If profonophos(1 ml/L) + hexaconazole (1 g/L) spray has been already made, a spray of fipronil (1 ml/L) along with propiconazole (1 g/L) is recommended after 15 days of previous spray, if required.
• Foliar spray of carbosulfan (2 ml/L) along with tricyclazole (1 g/L) is recommended to control diseases and pests, if required.
• Foliar application of elemental sulphur (2 g/L) is recommended to control red spider mite.
• Pesticide spray should be stopped 20 days before harvesting.
• If bolting is observed, the bolted plants should be harvested immediately.
• Irrigation should be done timely, as per requirement.

B. For harvesting and storage of garlic crop

• Pesticide sprays should be stopped at 20 days before harvesting.
• Garlic should be harvested after 50% drying of leaves.
• Harvesting should be done by pulling the plants out along with bulbs.
• Garlic bulbs along with top may be cured/dried in the field for 2-3 days after harvesting to increase storage life by minimizing microbial and fungal infection and water loss during storage.
• Garlic plants should be graded immediately after harvest and 20-25 plants tied in bundles along with tops.
• The tops should be divided in three segments and interwoven tightly.
• Such bundles should be kept in upright position in shed for curing for 15 days. Then the bundles are to be stored in storage structures.

C. For standing onion seed crop

• After flowering, no chemical sprays be made otherwise it will adversely affect the pollinators.
• Hand weeding may be done if absolutely necessary and care should be taken so that flower stalks are not damaged.
• In case honey bee activity is less, 1-2 honey bee hives/acre can be placed for improving seed setting.
• Crop should be irrigated timely as per requirement.
• Seed umbels should be harvested when 50% of the seeds in the umbel turn black.
• Umbels should be harvested periodically three to four times after maturity.
• Umbels should be dried in open sun and threshing of seed can be done by rolling or threshing machine.
• Cleaned seed should be packed in 400 Gauge poly packs after drying to <6% moisture content.