Cooperative Extension Service
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
The University of Georgia

Volume 8/Number 6
June 2004

George Boyhan, Extension Horticulturist-Vegetables
East Georgia Extension Center
Nessmith-Lane Building, 2nd Floor
PO Box 8112
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, GA 30460
912-681-5639 | 912-681-0376, Fax | 912-682-3481, mobile

New Manager at the Vidalia Onion Committee

Jeff Hall has been named the manager at the Vidalia Onion Committee. He comes from Savannah, where he worked for Good Will Industries. He spent many years in the military as well and has an extensive background in bookkeeping and accounting.

I had the opportunity to meet with Jeff on June 21. We discussed the situation at the VOC, and it sounds like he has some great ideas to help them with their marketing. The VOC financial situation should improve dramatically as well.

Onion Variety Recommendations Go Forward

A conference call was held June 9 with Commissioner Irvin, Dean Buchanan, several onion growers, and other University representatives to discuss issues related to early varieties. This year, WI-609, an early Japanese over-wintering onion, garnered a number of complaints from growers, wholesale buyers and consumers. The quality was particularly poor, with misshapen onions and softness. These onions (as well as other similar varieties) have been controversial from the start due to perceived poor taste.

Doug Bailey, Bill Randle, Reid Torrance and I met in a conference call on June 23 to discuss and decide on variety recommendations. In light of the problems with WI-609, we decided to recommend to the Dean that WI-609 and WI-3115 be removed from the official Vidalia onion variety list. In addition, we did not recommend several other Japanese over-wintering varieties that had been in recent trials. These included WI-129, 72766DY, 606DY and SSC 33076.

We did recommend the inclusion of one new variety -- XON-203Y (01ZG 5034) -- and the removal of Sweet Success. XON-203Y is a mid-season variety from Sakata Seed, and Sweet Success has not been in the trials for several years and, therefore, has been recommended for removal. The Dean will forward these recommendations to the Georgia Department of Agriculture for their final decision.

Official List — 2004 Recommendations
99C 5092 Sakata - Remove
Century (EX 07592000) Seminis Sweet Success Sunseed
Cyclops (XP 6995) Seminis WI-3115 Wannamaker
EX 19013 Seminis WI-609 Wannamaker
Georgia Boy (DPS 1032) D. Palmer Seed    
Granex 33 Seminis Add
Granex Yellow, PRR Seminis XON-203Y (01ZG 5034) Sakata
Mr. Buck (DPS 1033) D. Palmer Seed    
Nirvana (RCS 1027) Sunseed    
Ohoopee Sweet (DPS 1024) D. Palmer Seed    
Pegasus Seminis    
PS 7092 Seminis    
Sapelo Sweet (DPS 1039) D. Palmer Seed    
Savannah Sweet Sunseed    
Southern Belle D. Palmer Seed    
Southern Honey D. Palmer Seed    
SRO 1000 (RCX 6043) Sunseed    
SRO 1001 (RCX 5195-1) Sunseed    
SSC 6372 F1 Shamrock    
Sugar Belle F1 (SSC 6371 F1) Shamrock    
Sweet Melissa (SXO 1519) Sunseed    
Sweet Melody (RCS 1938) Sunseed    
Sweet Success (1514) Sunseed    
Sweet Vidalia Sunseed    
WI-3115 Wannamaker    
WI-609 Wannamaker    

 

Updated Procedures for Vidalia Onion Variety Selection

Procedures for evaluating and selecting Vidalia onion varieties have been updated. In the past, we have relied on taste panel evaluations, pyruvate testing, onion shape and color. We have also identified and used a standard variety (currently Savannah Sweet).

We will drop the use of a standard variety for comparison. In the past, we have consistently found statistical differences among tested varieties, but the standard variety often fell in the middle of the range for the tested parameter, resulting in no useful selection method.

Because the cost of doing taste panel evaluations is so high and there is a lack of funding, this has been dropped. In addition, after discussing it with Dr. Resurreccion (she conducted the taste tests), she indicated the testing generated a flavor profile but was not a consumer acceptance study. A consumer acceptance study would, necessarily, be much more expensive.

Pyruvite testing has been used as a gauge of onion pungency, but it does not give any indication of other objectionable components of flavor. We will still use this information, but it will not be relied on in a rigid manner compared to a standard variety.

We are also adding photoperiod requirement as a criterian for evaluation, because early varieties have been implicated in poor quality.

University of Georgia Vidalia Onion Variety Testing Procedures
(Revised 07/02/04)

Parameters to be used for recommendations of cultivars to the Commissioner of Agriculture:

The University of Georgia will test varieties according to the following list of parameters that shall include photoperiod requirement, color, shape, pungency, taste and soluble solids content. A variety must fit the following criteria to be recommended suitable for commercial production as a Vidalia onion:

  • A variety must be an over-wintering short-day onion that is seeded in the fall and matures the following spring.
  • A variety must have yellow skin, white flesh.
  • A variety must be of the Granex shape, i.e., broad on the distal end of the bulb and tapering to the proximal end, possessing a depth to width ratio of less than 1. Ninety (90) percent of an entry's bulbs must fit the shape criterian to be acceptable.
  • The bulb pungency of a variety must be mild without interfering bitterness or off-flavors. Mild is described as having onion flavors, some heat can be sensed, but the flavors clear the palate quickly.
  • Sugars as indicated by soluble solids content must exceed 6 percent in variety trials.

Trial Conditions

The University of Georgia shall conduct variety trials in order to evaluate cultivars for the traits specified above.

  • All varieties seeking recommended status will be evaluated prior to submission of a recommendation to the Commissioner.
  • Variety submissions and seed must be received by September 1 to assure inclusion in the trials.
  • The number of varieties tested may be restricted in years when the number of entries exceeds our trialing capabilities.
  • Cultural recommendations as outlined by the Georgia Cooperative Extension Service will be followed throughout the trials.
  • Each variety will be replicated four times.
  • Varieties will be harvested at maturity.
  • Trials will be conducted on commercially sized panels (beds) with four rows per bed. Plant densities will approximate 12 plants per linear foot of panel. Each replication shall be a minimum of 25 feet in length.
  • All listed varieties must be tested annually for quality assurance after being added to the approved variety list. If seed is not tested in a given year, it will be considered as unacceptable for that year's trial results. Seed companies will be notified that they must continue to submit their cultivars for evaluation.

 

I am currently in Austin, Texas, attending the national meeting of ASHS. This newsletter is late because I wanted to get the final onion recommendations before sending it out. The Georgia Department of Agriculture makes the final decision on varieties, so I will get that information to you as soon as I hear. I will get my July newsletter out as soon as possible.