There are pros and cons to transplanting onions. The biggest benefit is that each viable seed is effectively used. This is important because most onion seeds used commercially are hybrids. Hybrids are much more expensive than open-pollinated varieties, and the rand’s poor performance makes them even more costly.
Another perk is that by sowing into protected seedbeds, a much more favourable environment for optimum germination is created.
This is especially important in areas where heavy thunderstorms are possible at the time the seeds are planted.
A further advantage is that, at transplanting, perfect spacing can be obtained, which is very difficult with direct sowing.
Even with the best of planters, you still have weather variability to contend with, which, being unpredictable, will affect the stand and thus the final plant population. Provided that irrigation is applied properly, transplanting will result in the planned plant population being secure, even in a modest hailstorm.
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