By Clint Thompson
Georgia producers and industry leaders are invited to the annual Vidalia Onion Field Day on Wednesday, April 6 at noon.
Chris Tyson, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension area onion a gent at the Vidalia Onion & Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia, discussed what people can expect when they attend the annual field day this year.
“One thing we always have is to let folks walk through our variety trials and see all the different varieties that we’re evaluating this year. This year we’ve got 52 varieties in the variety trial. Growers will have an opportunity to see them and see how they look side by side with other varieties,” Tyson said. “We’ve got some disease management plots with Dr. Bhabesh Dutta, and he’s going to be able to talk with us about some things he’s looking at and some spray programs he’s evaluating. That’s always a good topic and good to hear from him.”
Daniel Jackson, laboratory manager at the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Services Lab has a sulfur research study where onions are growing in raised beds.
“Each raised bed he created his own soil profile. Some of the raised beds are all sandy soils, and some are mostly clay. He’s recreating soil profiles that mimic what we see in growers’ fields. He’s looking at how sulfur affects onion flavor with different soil profiles. There is a difference between sandier soils and more clay-based or stiffer soils. That’s an interesting study to see the onions grow in those raised beds,” Tyson said.
Those interested in attending can click here to register. The field day will be held at the Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia.
