In response to the request for alternative crop production information, 92 varieties of long-day onions were planted on the Safford Agricultural Center. Many varieties performed well, with the top variety yielding almost 480 cwt per acre. It appears that onions can be a viable alternative crop for some farmers in the upper Gila valley.

Twenty onion varieties were planted on two different dates in March at the Safford Agricultural Center. Yields up to 780 50-pound sacks per acre were harvested, with the early planting generally yielding slightly more than the later planting. The earlier planting generally had more jumbo and large onions and fewer medium and small onions than the later planting. The highest yielding onions were yellow varieties compared to the two white and one red varieties, but premiums for the non-yellow onions at harvest compensated for the lower yields. Three intermediate-day onions were included in the test; they were out-yielded by many of the long-day varieties at both planting dates. Spring - planted, long-day onions can be successfully grown in the Safford valley with yields that are economically feasible.

Successful seed production of open pollinated onion (Allium cepa L.) is difficult in Arizona. Providing adequate pollen transfer by honey bees (Apis mellifera) to ensure adequate seed set is a problem often encountered. Honey bees discriminate between onion cultivars. Onion flowers appear to be less attractive to honey bees than flowers of most competing plants. Bees may neglect the crop, particularly if another highly attractive plant species is in bloom. This honey bee discrimination has led to poor onion seed yields. This report compares seed production among five onion cultivars in Tucson, Arizona.