De invloed van onderzoek op de ontwikkeling van de teelt van uien en sjalotten

After having reviewed the international history of the genus Allium and the economic importance of the onion crop in the Netherlands the author described and compared the situations before and after a 12 years' period (1939-1951) of research on onions and shallots. In this period research was started on practical problems on choice of variety, manuring, cultural methods, control of diseases, and storage.
This period of 12 years saw an increase in productivity of 6% of the onion selections, an economy of N fertilizer and a yield increase of 2.5 % by correct rates of N. Labour and seed were saved and crop care was better by sowing in rows instead of broadcast.

There was much less infestation by yellow dwarf of the onion seed crop and shallot crop and onion maggot was under control. Storage losses were limited by preventing frost injury. Growing of onions from sets was entirely a result of research.

Finally prospects were outlined on choice of variety, mechanization and storage. Future activities of the Netherlands Onion Federation were forecast.