Bulletin 4430 - Growing bulb onions in Western Australia

Authors

John Burt, Agriculture Western Australia

Files

Publication Date

2000

Series Number

4430

Abstract

The bulb onion (Allium cepa var. cepa), together with chives, garlic, leeks, shallots and spring onions are members of the Amaryllidaceae family. The origins of the plant are from the Middle East, where it grew in an arid climate and on shallow, stony soils. Onions were grown as a food crop 5000 years ago in Egypt.

The edible part is a bulb that consists of swollen leaf bases. It contains 90 to 95 per cent water and provides soluble carbohydrates and vitamin C. The onion is the most common flavouring and aromatic vegetable in the world. The flavour is characterised by sugars, a tear-producing compound and mild to high pungency that is based on a number of complex compounds such as sulphur. There is reputable evidence that onions will reduce cancer, heart disease and blood pressure.

Number of Pages

12

ISSN

1326-415X

Publisher

Agriculture Western Australia

City

Perth

Keywords

Bulb onions, Western Australia

Disciplines

Agricultural Economics | Agricultural Science | Agriculture | Agronomy and Crop Sciences | Horticulture

Comments

Bulletin 4430 replaces Farmnote 31/86.

Agdex 256/11.

Recommended Citation

Burt, J. (2000), Bulletin 4430 - Growing bulb onions in Western Australia. Agriculture Western Australia, Perth. Bulletin 4430.
https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/bulletins/358

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