EFFECTS OF CULTURAL-PRACTICES AT HARVEST ON ONION BULB QUALITY AND INCIDENCE OF ROTS IN STORAGE

A field study was carried out over two seasons to investigate the effe cts of maturity of onions (Allium cepa L.) at harvest and different cu ring conditions on bulb quality and the incidence of storage rots. Oni on plants were lifted at one of three stages of maturity: 10, 70, or 9 0% leaf collapse (top-down). Foliage was removed (topped) either befor e or after curing, and bulbs were subjected to one of three curing tre atments: field curing with additional water, field curing without addi tional water, or heated forced air curing. Additional water applied du ring field curing increased the proportion of onions with stained skin s and rots. Forced-air curing of onions reduced the incidence of rots regardless of harvest method. Forced air drying also reduced skin stai ning in most harvest method treatments.