Over recent seasons, growers in the Western Bosveld region of Limpopo have been introduced to some of the new proprietary onion varieties from the Starke Ayres onion breeding programme with great success.
The sowing season in this region starts in early January, with the main plantings in February and March and late sowing into April.
The introduction of the proprietary onion varieties has been well received, and many growers are achieving exceptional and record-breaking results.
Starke Ayres offers growers in this area the following varieties, which can be incorporated into their sowing programme.
Jamila
An early season, light straw-coloured short day hybrid variety with optimal sowing date from 15 January to 15 February. Jamila has a high yield potential of very firm, globe-shaped bulbs with good skin retention and multiple skins when cured correctly. The variety has some storage capacity due to the high quality of the bulbs.
Terena
Adaptability! Terena can be planted from 15 January to 20 March with great success. A variety that has high yield potential with excellent skin retention and storability.
Askari
An early short-day hybrid variety that is highly adaptable with optimal sowing from the second week in February through to 20 March. Firm, golden brown-coloured bulbs with very high yield potential. This variety has consistently shown very good size and shape uniformity.
Tusker
A main short-day hybrid variety with excellent yield potential, good quality and pink root rot resistance. Optimal sowing from 20 February to 20 March.
Terena
Jamila
Askari
