Farmnote 30/99 : Growing spring onions

Growing spring onions

By John Burt, Adviser, Horticulture, South Perth
The spring onion (Allium fistulosum) has been the favourite onion of China
and Japan for centuries. Its origins are believed to be in Siberia and Mongolia.
Return to All spring onion types are characterised by slightly enlarged bulbs. The type
AGWEST Index grown in Australia does not produce offshoots; it has straight, hollow leaves
Click on images for larger and a distinct white 'stem' consisting of a collection of leaf bases. The 'stem' is
view the main edible part of the plant and is used mainly in salads.
Spring onions are markedly different from shallots (Allium cepa, aggregatum
group) and the bulb onion (Allium cepa, cepa group). However, some varieties
of bulb onion, such as early Lockyer White, South Australian White, Savages
White and Gladalan White, are sold as spring onions if they are harvested
when the bulb is immature and the leaves are intact.
It is estimated that about three million bunches, or 1000 t, of spring onions are
produced in Western Australia each year.
The crop is grown on the Swan Coastal Plain, mainly between Wanneroo and
Baldivis, for the domestic market. A small quantity is consigned to the eastern
States.
Variety
The main varieties of spring onion are Straightleaf and selections of
Straightleaf. They include Dynasty Winter King and Summer King. They are
seeded at a rate of 6 to 10 kg/ha.
Climate
The spring onion produces the highest yields and best quality in late spring.
However, day length does not affect production so, unlike bulb onions, spring
onions are produced throughout the year. Demand is highest in summer, but
burnt tops and yellowing can impair quality at this time of year. Winter crops
are softer and less vigorous. Spring onions are hardy to frost, but can suffer
severe hail damage.
Plant spring onions in a sheltered position since breakage or bending of the
green leaves reduces marketability.
Soil
The light, well-drained soils of the Swan Coastal Plain are ideally suited to
growing spring onions.
The best soil for this crop is slightly acid, with a pH between 5.3 and 5.8
(using calcium chloride to measure the levels). Do not apply lime to the soil
before planting spring onions, unless the soil pH falls below 4.2. Avoid
growing spring onions in rotation with crops to which lime is regularly
Farmnote 30/99 : Growing spring onions

applied.
Spring onions are liable to show trace element deficiencies on alkaline soils. If
the pH is more than 6.3, it may be necessary to reduce it. Apply granulated
sulphur at 1 t/ha and work it into the soil two to four months before planting.
Note: Add about 0.8 to the above pH levels if the traditional water system is
used to measure the pH.
Planting
Plant spring onions 1.5 cm deep in single rows 15 to 20 cm apart, using a
hand-pushed or air seeder. Plants should be 1.5 to 2.5 cm apart. This gives a
density (ignoring pathways) of nearly three million plants per hectare. If
planting in double rows with a Stanhay planter, use a distance of 4 to 5 cm
between the rows and 30 to 35 cm between the centres of adjacent double
rows.
Fertiliser
Work the following fertilisers into the soil a few days before planting. The
rates are per 100 m2:
double superphosphate 6 kg

magnesium sulphate 500 g

manganese sulphate 200 g

borax 180 g

copper sulphate 180 g

iron sulphate 180 g

zinc sulphate 180 g

sodium molybdate 20 g

Some fertiliser rates may be reduced if a soil test before planting shows
optimum levels of nutrients. This is especially important with phosphorus
fertilisers such as double superphosphate. High phosphorus levels may cause
environmental problems if leached into the ground water.
High phosphorus levels and high soil alkalinity also cause iron deficiency,
which is the main nutritional problem with spring onions. Iron deficiency
occurs mainly from October to April and it is particularly likely to be seen on
alkaline soils. It is easily recognised by a yellowing of the youngest leaves.
Adjusting the pH to a slightly acid level and applying ferrous sulphate before
planting will reduce iron deficiency. Fortnightly applications of ferrous
sulphate at 200 g/100 L or an iron chelate to the leaves after planting may also
help prevent the problem, but will not be effective where iron deficiency
symptoms are already visible.
Farmnote 30/99 : Growing spring onions

Table 1 shows the rates and times of application for nitrogen and potassium.
Start applying the topdressings described three days after emergence. Apply
small amounts of nitrogen and potassium at regular weekly intervals since
heavy applications may lead to wastage and polluted ground water supplies.
Reduce the nitrogen if a water test shows a high level of nitrate nitrogen
(greater than 10 ppm) in the irrigation water.
Magnesium deficiency is seen as a yellowing on the oldest leaves. Magnesium
sulphate (Epsom salts) applied before planting will help prevent this problem.
Trace elements such as iron sulphate, zinc sulphate and manganese sulphate
must be applied to alkaline soils.
Irrigation
Spring onions have small root systems so the soil must be kept moist. One
daily watering in early morning is sufficient from April to October with two
daily waterings, in early-mid morning and early afternoon, needed from
November to March. Table 2 is a guide to watering for average conditions near
Medina Research Station; adjustments must be made for differences in
sprinkler outputs, marked changes in temperatures, humidities, effective
rainfall and wind speeds. Use evaporation data from the nearest meteorological
station for properties not close to Medina.
Typical butterfly sprinklers are spaced at 277/ha with an output of 15 L/minute
or 4.15 kL/ha/minute. Typical knocker sprinklers are spaced at 69/ha with an
output of 22 L/minute or 1.52 kL/ha/minute. The irrigation time is adjusted to
compensate for the efficiency rating of butterfly (85 per cent) and knocker
sprinklers (80 per cent).
Water quality
The salinity of irrigation water should be less than 80 mS/m (about 440 ppm
total salts) for highest yields and quality.
Diseases
Apply fenamiphos (Nemacur) at 24 L/ha once a year in the rotation before
planting, to control nematodes.
Fungal diseases of the onion family and their control are listed in Farmnote
No. 1/86 'Fungal and bacterial diseases of the onion family' (Agdex 256/630).
The main disease, downy mildew (Peronospora destructor), is especially
serious when dew is prevalent on the plants.
There are no serious root diseases and one grower produced 30 consecutive
crops of spring onions. However, it is good practice to rotate spring onions
with other crops which are not in the onion family.
Pests
Thrips are a major pest of spring onions. These small sucking insects are
active in the warmer months and cause small, white spots on the leaves.
Dimethoate (Rogor) or endosulfan (Endosulfan, Thiodan) will control
thrips.
Farmnote 30/99 : Growing spring onions

Include a wetting agent at label rates with all sprays since onion leaves are
waxy.
Weeds
Apply chlorthal (Dacthal) or chlorthal-propachlor (Prothal) immediately
after planting and water in for 5 to 10 minutes. These herbicides should control
weeds up to the two-leaf crop stage. Some growers may apply Dacthal three
times for the life of the crop. At present, these herbicides are becoming less
available.
Harvests
Spring onions mature in 8 to 10 weeks in summer and 12 to 14 weeks in
winter.
Pull the plants when they are 30 to 40 cm high and have a stem thickness of 8
to 15 cm. Do not cut the roots or leaves. Discard any plants with blemishes on
the leaves and any without green leaves. Put plants in the field into 300 to 400
g bunches using rubber bands to hold each bunch. A bunch contains 20 to 25
plants.
Wash the bunches at the packing shed and remove unsightly older leaves.
Place about 50 bunches upright into an 84 L crate. Keep the produce cool and
deliver to the market as quickly as possible with the crates lying on their sides
facing each other and protected from winds during transport. The leaves of
spring onions are sometimes cut level with the tops of the crates and the crates
stacked on top of each other.
In retail outlets, spring onions are sometimes displayed in cellophane packs,
and the retailer removes much of the leaf.

Table 1. Fertiliser rates and times for spring onions

Time Nitrogen Potassium
Twice a week for the first two Urea at 250 g/100 Sulphate of potash at
weeks after emergence m2 300 g/100 m2
Weekly from two weeks after Urea at 500 g/100 Sulphate of potash at
emergence to one week before m2 600 g/100 m2
harvesting
Farmnote 30/99 : Growing spring onions

Table 2. Irrigation data for butterfly and knocker sprinklers on rain-free

days based on average evaporation at Medina Research Station
Month Evaporation Water Time (minutes/day)
(mm/day) requirement*
before harvesting (kL/ha/day)
Butterfly Knocker
January 8.6 120.4 32.5 89.0
February 8.1 113.4 31.5 86.0
March 6.2 86.8 25.0 66.0
April 3.8 53.2 15.0 40.0
May 2.3 32.2 9.5 25.5
June 1.8 25.2 7.0 19.0
July 1.7 23.8 6.5 18.0
August 2.2 30.8 8.5 23.0
September 3.1 43.4 12.0 33.0
October 4.5 63.0 17.5 47.5
November 6.2 86.8 25.0 66.0
December 7.8 109.2 30.0 82.5
* The evaporation replacement rate for spring onions is 140 per cent.

Disclaimer: This material has been written for Western Australian conditions. Its
availability does not imply suitability to other areas, and any interpretation or use is the
responsibility of the user. Mention of product or trade names does not imply
recommendation, and any omissions are unintentional. Recommendations were current at
the time of preparation of the original publication.
Prime Notes This file: F03099.HTM Date converted: 25 June 1999
Index Copyright Chief Executive Officer, Agriculture Western Australia, 1999
Farmnote 30/99 : Growing spring onions - Figure 1