At the pilot site located in the Srem District of the Pannonian Basin, onion production from sets is being conducted under open-field conditions without irrigation, allowing for reduced production costs and improved economic efficiency.
During field inspection, approximately 7% of the plants developed flowering stalks (bolting). This was primarily caused by inadequate storage conditions of the onion sets during the winter period, which induced vernalization. In onions, vernalization occurs when sets are exposed to temperatures ranging from 2 to 18°C for an extended period, typically between 60 and 200 days, depending on the cultivar. This process triggers the transition from vegetative to reproductive growth, resulting in the formation of flower stalks.
To prevent unnecessary depletion of bulb reserves and maintain marketable yield, bolting plants were removed manually from the field. The remaining crop is developing normally, and bulb harvest is expected in mid-July.
