CHARACTERISTIC*: PEREZ
KIND AND TYPE: F1 hybrid, mid season, intermediate day yellow onion (Allium cepaL.)
MATURITY: Medium, 22 to 27 weeks after direct seeding. Maturity depends on sowing date, production location and seasonal variations (photoperiod and temperature).
BULB SHAPE: Globe to high 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: Small (thin) and neat
BULB FIRMNESS: Very firm
BULB TUNIC (SKIN/SCALE LEAF) COLOUR: Excellent colour: golden brown
TUNIC RETENTION AND QUALITY: Excellent, tough and tight
STORABILITY/SHELF LIFE: Excellent, long storage (4½ to 5½ months) – enables producers to market bulbs over an extended period. Storage potential depends on the storage conditions (temperature and relative humidity)
FLESH COLOUR: White
TASTE: Pungent
LEAF/FOLIAGE HEALTH AND GROWTH HABIT: Moderate and flagging to upright
LEAF/FOLIAGE COLOUR: Green
BOLTING REACTION: Slow – Good tolerance (depends on/related to the sowing date)
DISEASE RESISTANCE (SCIENTIFIC): None claimed
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 the recommended 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: High quality bulbs with excellent storability. Attractive colour gives competitive advantage later in marketing season.