1997 Report on the Use of Sudangrass for Improved Yield and Quality of Onions Produced on Muck Soils in New York

Abstract

Prior to 1996, our field research focused on cultural aspects of Sudangrass, when to plant, planting rate, mowing vs. non mowed, mowing once vs. mowing multiple times, etc. In 1996, we obtained our first yield comparison results and continued with that research in 1997. In our area, the summer of 1996 was very wet and generally, yields were down. In contrast, 1997 was a very dry year. Yield results in 1996 showed an average increase of 16%, while the average yield increase for 1997 was 26%. More significantly, we found the increase in the number of onions jumped, from a 30% increase in the number of onions in 1996 to a 73% increase in 1997.