OUTSTANDING QUALITIES

• MID SEASON SHORT DAY VARIETY
• OUTSTANDING QUALITIES – UNIFORM, GLOBE SHAPED BULBS WITH MULTIPLE ATTRACTIVE BROWN TUNICS
• HIGH YIELD POTENTIAL
• HIGH PINK ROOT AND BASAL ROT RESISTANCE

Dusteris a medium maturing short day onion hybrid.  Duster’s external bulb qualities include a uniform, firm, globe shaped bulb with a thin neck which is complemented by multiple attractive and tough brown scale leaves – the latter makes it suitable for mid-term storage.  Dusterhas an average bolting tolerance and very vigorous root systemwith high resistance against pink root (Phoma terrestrissyn.Pyrenochaeta terrestris) and Basal rot (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cepae).  Duster is suitable for direct sowing as well as seedling transplants.

SPECIAL VARIETAL REQUIREMENTS

• Due to Duster’s vigorous root system, the variety requires fewer/less applications of nitrogen based fertilisers late in the growing season.
• Contact a Sakata area representative for a local onion sowing guide.

DESCRIPTION

CHARACTERISTIC*: DUSTER
KIND AND TYPE: F1 hybrid, mid season, short day brown onion (Allium cepaL.)
MATURITY: Medium, 21 to 25 weeks after direct seeding. Maturity depends on sowing date, production location and seasonal variations (photoperiod and temperature).
BULB SHAPE: Slightly flattended globe to globe
BULB SIZE: Medium to large (50 – 90 mm) – bulb size is influenced by the plant population
BULB UNIFORMITY (SHAPE AND SIZE): Very good
BULB NECK SIZE AND QUALITIES: Fine (thin), tight and neat
BULB FIRMNESS: Very good
BULB TUNIC (SKIN/SCALE LEAF) COLOUR: Excellent colour: brown
TUNIC RETENTION AND QUALITY: Very good and tough
STORABILITY/SHELF LIFE: Good (3 to 4 months). Storage potential depends on the storage conditions (temperature and relative humidity).
FLESH COLOUR: White
TASTE: Mildly pungent
LEAF/FOLIAGE HEALTH AND GROWTH HABIT: Average and flagging to upright
LEAF/FOLIAGE COLOUR: Dark green
BOLTING REACTION: Moderate – average tolerance (depends on/related to the sowing date)
DISEASE RESISTANCE (SCIENTIFIC): High resistance:Phoma terrestris (Pt)andFusarium oxysporum f.spcepae (Foc)
GROWING AREA: Grown between 27 – 35° latitude. Suitable for the Free State, Northern Cape, Western Cape and Koue Bokkeveld. Refer to the sowing guide for there commended sowing period in different production areas.
AVERAGE SEED COUNT: 220 – 320 seeds per gram or 220 000 – 320 000 seeds per kilogram
SUGGESTED SOWING DENSITY: Density depends on the size requirement of the bulbs and the target market/uses of the final product, however we suggest:
Final population of 750 000 – 950 000 plants per hectare
SEED REQUIREMENT PER HECTARE: Direct sowing:900 000 to 1 200 000 seeds per hectare / 3.5 – 4.0 kg seed per hectare
Transplant: 5.0 – 5.5 kg seed per hectare
MARKET USES: Bunched, pre-pack and processing
SPECIAL FEATURES, BENEFITS AND REMARKS: Mid maturing, excellent yield potential, good storage potential. Vigorous root system with an excellent disease package. Seed is available in a range of different seed sizes.