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Lime and Nutrients for Leeks

Nutrient Application Advice
Lime Where necessary, apply lime to give an optimum pH of 6.5-6.8.
N Depending on soil fertility 70- 100kg/ha N should be applied as base dressing. Up to 100 kg/ha N may be applied as top dressing.
P and K Apply P and K rates as in the table below.
FYM If livestock manure is available, annual applications are beneficial to both soil and crop but reduce the N, P and K application by 1.4 kg/ha, 1.2 kg/ha and 6 kg/ha respectively for each tonne/ha of well rotted and well stored FYM used (SI 31 of 2014). 

 

Table: N,P,K recommendations for Leek crops (kg/ha)
Soil N Index N P K
1 100 60 250
2 90 45 220
3 80 35 200
4 70 20 100
Topdress 100 – –

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Onion Field

Nutrient Application Advice
Lime Where necessary, apply lime to give an optimum pH of 6.5 – 6.8.
N

Spring Sown

Depending on soil fertility, apply 40 – 70 kg/ha N as a base dressing. Top dressings can be applied up to 70 kg/ha N but not later than mid-June.

Autumn Sown

Depending on soil fertility, apply 0 – 70 kg/ha N may be applied as a base dressing. Apply a top-dressing up to 70 kg/ha N in the month of February (or mid-late January if weather and SI 31 of 2014 permit).
P and K Apply P and K rates as in the table below. The preferred form of K for onions is sulphate.
Zn

On peat soils, onions are sensitive to Zn deficiency. Apply 22.5 – 34 kg/ha of zinc sulphate (35% Zn). Lower rates can be used if it is banded. Zinc spray can also be used, applying 4.5 kg/ha zinc sulphate in 1,000 l water.
Mo

Onions are sensitive to Mo deficiency. Low pH encourages Mo deficiency so lime should be applied to raise the pH. Spraying the crops with 0.6 kg/ha sodium molybdate (39% Mo) may be necessary.

 

Table: N,P,K recommendations for Onion crops (kg/ha)
Soil Index N P K
1 70 60 250
2 60 45 220
3 50 35 200
4 40 20 100
Topdress 70 – –

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Lime and Nutrients for Salad Onions

Nutrient Application Advice
Lime Where necessary, apply lime to give an optimum pH of 6.5 – 6.8.
N Apply 60 – 90 kg/ha N in the base dressing and up to 60 kg/ha as a topdressing. If over-wintering use 30 kg/ha in the base dressing and up to 120 kg/ha N as a top dressing.
P and K Apply  P and K rates as in the table below. The preferred form of K for salad onions is sulphate.

 

Table: N,P,K recommendations for Salad Onion crops (kg/ha)
Soil Index N P K
1 90 60 315
2 80 45 215
3 70 35 205
4 60 20 105
Topdress 60