Rossa di Tropea F1

Class

Monocotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Amaryllidaceae

Order

Asparagales

Genus

Allium

Species

cepa

Description

Allium cepa, known as onion, is within its botanical genus the most widely cultivated horticultural species for agri-food purposes for at least 5000 years; herbaceous with an annual cycle, it shows determined growth and an erect habit. It is medium-hardy and prefers fertile soil without waterlogging, even in intercropping with other horticultural species. The edible part is represented by the bulb with its characteristic intense flavour, consumed cooked or raw, as a condiment or food, in the preparation of numerous dishes throughout the world.

Variety description

The variety is short-day/intermediate with autumn sowing, but also late winter sowing, and spring harvesting. The variety is distinguished by its extraordinary organoleptic characteristics, in particular a pronounced sweetness, and is one of the most renowned and popular types among consumers. The edible part is characterised by a vine-red colouring of the tunics and a rounded spinning top shape. Shelf life is limited. Plant of medium vigour with fine collar attachment and early cycle. Destination is for spring onion or bulb production but always for the fresh market.

Curiosities and special features

Widely used in cooking both cooked and raw, onions contain water, carbohydrates, fibre, minerals and vitamins; they are also often included in diets as they are low in calories.

During the Middle Ages, bulbs were considered on a par with coins for trade and payment of labour; over the centuries they have been and are still used in folk medicine as antioxidants and anti-inflammatories for various ailments such as laryngitis, osteoporosis, burns and warts.

Some varieties are also used in ornamentals as bedding or pot plants thanks to their characteristic umbrella-like inflorescences that are well liked by pollinating insects such as bees and bumblebees.

Origin and distribution

The onion is one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world, the geographical origin of which is still not well defined. According to some studies, domestication probably took place as early as 5000 B.C. in southwest or central Asia, where the onion was valued both for the flavour it imparted to dishes as well as for the durability of the bulb during storage and trade; other research describes the onion as originating in Iran, western Pakistan and central Asia. Various documents attest to its use both in the Egyptian civilisation, where the spherical shape and concentric rings of the bulb were considered symbols of eternal life, and in the Roman civilisation as witnessed by Pliny the Elder. Alexander the Great enabled its spread through conquests extended to vast areas of the Mediterranean; new trade routes in the Middle Ages brought onions to the rest of Europe while the first European settlers introduced onions to North America. Today, onions are cultivated all over the world, particularly in temperate climate zones.

Flower size

The flower individually is medium in size compared to other varieties.

Leaf

The leaf blade is elongated, cylindrical at the base.

Fruit

The bulb is oblong in shape and seedless, with a length of 10 to 18 cm, a width of 5 to 8 cm and a weight of 150 to 300 g, characterised by a firm consistency. From a sensory point of view, it is intensely fragrant and offers a sweet, intense and sugary flavour with a fresh, delicate and mild taste, while the aroma is intense and penetrating. The colouring is homogeneous over the entire surface. Ripening takes place in early to late spring. The skin is not edible. The quality aspect is characterised by a pronounced sweetness, and the variety has good organoleptic characteristics.

Flowering period

Flowering, in late spring-early summer, is only of interest to those who intend to produce the seed for possible later multiplication.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence umbrella.

Leaf colour

Unicolour colour shade.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.4 to 0.6 m.

Lifespan

Annual Plant.

Where to plant

Species for cultivation in beds, open fields, large pots

Stem

Herbaceous stem, the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower has a simple, medium-sized form, with a dialipetal corolla and single-coloured petals. It is arranged in medium-sized umbel inflorescences. It flowers from late spring to early summer. It is attractive to bees and bumblebees.

Growth

Growth is determined.

Plant habit

It develops an erect habit.

Branching

Branching is naturally meagre.

PH

For onions, the ideal soil pH ranges from slightly acidic to neutral, between 6.0 and 7.5.

Soil preparation

Before transplanting, dig the soil about 20/30 cm deep, removing any weeds and residues of previous crops, then fertilise the soil and, with the help of a hoe, break up the clods. In order to obtain correct drainage of excess water, thus avoiding harmful water stagnation, continue by creating a raised bed of 15/20 cm by ballasting the soil, then carefully level the surface with a rake, preparing the beds for transplanting at a suitable density.

During the cultivation cycle remove the first 2/3 cm of soil by weeding or hoeing to remove any weeds present and break up any surface crust.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Sun exposure

Suitable for exposures sheltered from the wind in full sun, afternoon sun.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 15 and 25 °C.

Use

Widely used as a horticultural crop in

Agribusiness

Hardiness

It is medium to highly rustic, preferring warm, dry climates and soil conditions free of waterlogging.

Soil

The ideal soil condition is medium-textured, deep, well-draining soil with organic matter; a specific soil for horticulture containing blond and brown peat is recommended for use in pots.

Difficulty

Cultivation is fairly easy, and ensuring suitable growing conditions will lead to excellent results in terms of production.

Growing tips

Here are some cultivation measures, in relation to the needs of the variety, to ensure high production performance:

Balanced fertilisation Avoid over-watering Plant that adapts very well to cold winter climates, and also thrives in frozen soil conditions. Prefers cool climate

Intercropping/combination

We recommend intercropping with cress, lettuce and radish.

Planting

In order to obtain a suitable final production, it is necessary to guarantee each individual plant the appropriate space to express a correct vegetative growth and also to prevent the development of pathologies. To this end, an average density of 30 plants per square metre is recommended during the transplanting phase, placing them on a raised bed with the collar off the soil surface and making sure that the roots are clear and not necrotized.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Pruning

If the bulbs are intended for fresh consumption, harvesting may take place from the initial stage of bulb enlargement (spring onion) until the bulb is fully swollen, whereas if they are intended for storage, harvesting must take place when the stem bends to the ground. Bulbs complete with leaves must be pulled up, cleaned and left to dry on the soil surface for at least 3-5 days, weather permitting.

Propagation

Multiplication is by sowing, in the open field or in containers.

Repotting

Repotting should be carried out when the plant shows stunted growth with a poorly developed root system using a larger container with suitable soil.

Watering

Use rainwater, or alternatively canal or aqueduct water with an optimal neutral pH, intervening manually or by drip-wing irrigation, sub-irrigation or furrow irrigation, i.e. distributing the water in channels made between the rows. During the transplanting phase, assist the plant that may be more exposed to water stress in the new site, avoiding dry strikes and maintaining a constant humidity without exceeding the quantities applied. Then allow the soil or substrate to dry slightly between one watering and the next, and do not water the aerial part of the plant during the late afternoon/evening to prevent the spread of plant diseases. The onion's water requirements are relatively low, but it is important to meet the plant's water needs, especially during the summer period. If a drip-wing or similar irrigation system is used, these should be kept at a distance of at least 10-15 cm from the stem.

For eventual sowing, moisten the seed to allow it to germinate and, after it has been completely buried and covered with a layer of substrate and inert material, keep the soil wet until the sprout emerges.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Fertilising

During pre-transplant soil preparation, carry out basic fertilisation by burying organic or chemical fertiliser. Subsequently apply water-soluble fertiliser specifically for horticulture to the soil or substrate, to be diluted in the irrigation water according to the appropriate dosage and frequency as indicated on the product information label. In the early stages of growth, it is recommended to use a fertiliser with a higher Nitrogen content, while during bulb growth a higher Phosphorus and Potassium content is recommended.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Care video

https://youtu.be/Ju2bweRZeCg

Pet safety

Sulfoxides contained in onions, raw or cooked, can cause intoxication in pets.

Edibility for humans

Edible bulb.

Toxicity for humans

In general, onions do not cause ingestion toxicity in adults, however, if cut, they often cause irritation of the eyes with the release of tears due to the lachrymatory factor, syn-propanethial-S-oxide, which in contact with the tear film contained in the eyeball turns into phosphoric acid.

Allergic reactions may occur in some individuals following the ingestion of onions, usually raw, such as asthma, contact dermatitis, intense itching, rhinoconjunctivitis, sweating; therefore, consider the specific case.

Tip

Since the species/variety has reduced leaf development, (thus leaving a lot of room for weeds), mechanical, manual and chemical weed control, but also the control of fungal and animal pests, is extraordinarily important. The negative influence of downy mildew, leek leafminer fly and onion thrips, which must be controlled with timely intervention, using products approved for the crop, is especially emphasised. We recommend transplanting young seedlings with no more than 4-6 true leaves. At the time of transplanting, the roots must have sufficiently enveloped the soil loaf and appear pale, white and non-necrotized. The plants should be transplanted on a raised bed of at least 15-20 cm.