Question

How does onion grow? Define the process.

Answer 1

Hint: Onions are biennial plants and thus as per their nature, they grow to form a seed up to a dormant bud and later complete further developmental processes after the dormancy of the bud was broken in the favorable season.

Complete answer:
The growth of onions starts from a seed, it grows to a plant, and then into a dormant bulb which begins to grow again in the favorable seasons and then produces a flower spike. After fertilization, the fertilized flowers produce seeds, and in this way, the life cycle of the onion is completed. Though onions usually grow from seeds, they can also be grown from the transplants or sets. Growing onions from seed offer the great advantage of a wide choice in cultivars but the challenge with starting from seeds is that the crop takes a time of up to 4 months to get matured. For proper growth, onions should be planted in the spring so that they can get an appropriate time of cool weather in the early part of their growth. The five stages of growth of onions are –
1. Establishment
2. Vegetative Growth
3. Bulb Initiation
4. Bulb development
5. Maturation
The above stages are seen during the growth of onions when they are grown through the transplants. The plants first grow vegetatively without the formation of bulbs. when they get a bit longer and thicker than the transplants, the process of bulb development Initiates.

Note:
-The most common chemical constituents and their relatives that are found in the onions are about 89% water, 9% carbohydrates, 1% protein, and a negligible amount of fats and this is the reason that they are considered as the most indispensable and flavourful ingredients used in cooking.
-Also, low amounts of some essential nutrients are also found in the onions that have an energy value of 166 kJ in 100 g and thus these onions provide flavor to dishes without contributing significant caloric content.