Best practice onion storage

Best practice onion storage PR23 Individuals who wish to optimise the yield and quality of bulb onions from their store An advanced course best suited to accomplished practitioners who want to implement the latest agri-tech research and knowledge on farm A one day classroom based course TBC Andy Richardson, Managing Director Allium and Brassica Agronomy Ltd

Classroom module 1 (half day):

Harvest management

•    Use of sprout suppressants
•    Optimum harvest timing
•    Harvest strategy to maximise yield and quality

Store design and function

•    Basic store design
•    How to size fans, heaters, louvres, plenums and drying floors/walls
•    The importance of airflow and how/ where to measure it
•    Pros and cons of drying in bulk or bins

Visit to local onion stores – box and bulk

Classroom module 2 (half day):

Store management

•    Identification of common storage
diseases/physiological issues and their economic importance
•    Forecasting, detecting and monitoring storage diseases
•    Drying, curing and cooling to optimise skin colour and retention and minimise defects
•    Long term storage – refrigeration, controlled atmosphere and ethylene

At the end of this course you will be able to:

•    Identify the best time to harvest and develop a strategy to maximise yield and quality
•    Understand store design and the function and sizing of individual components
•    Determine store capacity and maximum loading
•    Identify, monitor and prevent common storage disorders
•    Use the best parameters required for drying, curing and cooling crops and the effect these have on skin retention, thickness and colour
•    Determine which crops are most suitable for long-term holding and the storage options available