Evaluation of cultivation methods and sustainable agricultural practices for improving shallot bulb production – a review

Abstract

Shallot is an economically important nutritive bulb vegetable and medicinal plant from Alliaceae family. Distributed in limited regions worldwide, in most cases, shallots widely grow in very cold to moderate cold temperate climates at high elevations required to induce bolting and overcome their bulbs and true seeds dormant period. Shallot responses to agricultural management and environmental conditions vary among different species and genotypes and, thus, selection of the elite genotypes is a pre-requisite for obtaining desired yield and quality of bulbs and true seeds. Plant material (seed or bulb), plant selection, as well as cultivation and agricultural practices (importantly fertilization, spacing, planting date, and irrigation in greenhouse or farmland) critically affect productivity, phytonutrient value, and economic profit of the shallot produces. The knowledge of using biofertilizers and mulching techniques on shallots are currently evolving, but the information on the efficiency of nano biofertilizers and eco-friendly and biodegradable mulching materials on shallots farming are still lacking. With the emphasis on sustainable agricultural systems, the efficiency of combined organic and inorganic fertilization is discussed and the potential biofertilizer agents are recommended. This review highlights the importance of using the integrated fertilization(organic and inorganic methods combined with biofertilizers) and irrigation methods (such as two-line spray hose irrigation combined with mulching), and the practices with the highest potential to further improve shallot farming are suggested. The information on shallots breeding is still lacking and requires extensive researches in the future.