Now, irradiation of rabi onions on cards

NASHIK: After completing experiments on the irradiation of the kharif onions, the Nation Horticulture Research & Development Foundation (NHRDF) is now planning to conduct research on the irradiation effects on the summer onion crop from the first week of May.
The NHRDF recently conducted research on the kharif onions to find out the effects of irradiation on the shelf life of the crop.It found out that losses up to 5% may be reduced if the kharif crop is irradiated.
Speaking to TOI, a senior official from the NHRDF, who recently conducted research on kharif onions, said, “Generally, the losses in onions are due to sprouting, rotting and weight loss. Following research on the irradiated and non-irradiated kharif onions, we will be conducting research on the irradiated and non-irradiated summer onions by April-end or the first week of May. Earlier, the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) had conducted research on the irradiated summer onions and found out that sprouting can be curtailed if the onions are irradiated. Now, we will conduct a fresh survey on the summer onions to find out the losses that can be reduced in the crop following irradiation.”
He further said, “As per our recent research, up to 5% of the losses can be reduced in the kharif crop following irradiation. In the summer crop, we expect that 10% of the losses can be reduced by irradiating the summer onions. Reducing even 10% of the losses will be a big achievement. We will purchase the summer crop in the next two days and will irradiate it at the irradiation centre of BARC at Lasalgaon. We will start our experiments on both the irradiated and the non-irradiated crops thereafter. They will be stored for around seven months from May to November to find out the effects of irradiation.”