Articles
ONION PRODUCTION AND CONSTRAINTS IN ZIMBABWE: WITH SPECIFIC REFERENCE TO THE AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (ADA)
Article number
358_57
Pages
349 – 352
Language
Abstract
The Agricultural Development Authority (ADA) is one of the largest commercial onion growers in Zimbabwe, with an annual production of over 2 000 tons.
The main constraints which affect yield and profitability are disease, mainly white rot (Sclerotium cepivorum) and high seed input costs which constitute 33% of the total variable costs.
Attempts to control white rot indicated that the use of fungicides only partially controlled the disease and was expensive.
Efforts made in seed production were successful.
The locally produced seed from open-pollinated cultivars gave bulb yields and quality comparable to those of imported hybrids.
Use of local seed can reduce seed input costs to 8% of the total.
The main constraints which affect yield and profitability are disease, mainly white rot (Sclerotium cepivorum) and high seed input costs which constitute 33% of the total variable costs.
Attempts to control white rot indicated that the use of fungicides only partially controlled the disease and was expensive.
Efforts made in seed production were successful.
The locally produced seed from open-pollinated cultivars gave bulb yields and quality comparable to those of imported hybrids.
Use of local seed can reduce seed input costs to 8% of the total.
Authors
J.M. Made, B.S. Wright, P. Maramba
Keywords
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