Bawang bombay (onion) cultivation in Indonesia has traditionally been concentrated in highland areas with cooler temperatures. However, recent developments show that the Trophy onion variety can successfully adapt and grow well in the tropical lowlands, particularly in Yogyakarta. This achievement marks an important breakthrough in agronomy and opens new opportunities for expanding domestic onion production.
Adaptation of the Trophy Variety in Lowland Areas
The Trophy variety is known for its strong environmental tolerance compared to other varieties. Field cultivation in the lowland area of Yogyakarta demonstrated that the plants can grow optimally when supported by proper cultivation technology, such as:
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Precise nutrient management, especially balanced N, P, and K fertilization
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Optimal drainage systems to prevent waterlogging
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Use of mulching to reduce soil temperature and maintain moisture
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High-quality seed selection and integrated pest management (IPM)
Observations show that the plants can form bulbs optimally even under higher temperatures than those typically required in highland environments. This indicates that the Trophy variety has good heat tolerance, making it suitable for wider cultivation across Indonesia.
Increasing Market Demand for Onions in Indonesia
Demand for onions in Indonesia continues to rise, driven by culinary use, the food industry, and the hotel–restaurant–cafĂ© (HORECA) sector. The country still imports a significant portion of its onion needs, so the success of local production in lowland areas offers the potential to:
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Reduce reliance on imports
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Expand new production centers
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Strengthen national food self-sufficiency
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Increase economic benefits for farmers
The growing market interest shows that the prospects for developing domestic onion production are highly promising.
The Need for Advanced Cultivation Technology
The successful cultivation of the Trophy variety in Yogyakarta’s lowland tropics highlights the importance of continuing to innovate in onion cultivation technologies. Several technological advancements that should be further developed include:
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Smart farming tools for monitoring soil temperature and moisture
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Precision fertilization based on plant nutrient needs
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Heat-tolerant and highly adaptive varieties
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Modern irrigation systems such as drip irrigation
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Use of organic and plastic mulch to reduce heat stress
With strong research support, technological innovation, and farmer assistance, onions—particularly the Trophy variety—have the potential to become a new leading commodity in Indonesia’s lowland regions.
Sandy soils in tropical regions present specific challenges for horticultural crops, including onions. Their rapid water drainage, low organic matter content, and poor nutrient-holding capacity often limit plant growth. However, with proper land preparation techniques, onions can grow optimally and produce high yields—even on marginal sandy soils.
1. Characteristics of Tropical Sandy Soil
Sandy soil typically has:
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High porosity, causing water to drain quickly
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Low nutrient retention capacity
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Soil temperature that easily increases under the sun
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Very low organic matter content
These characteristics require cultivation techniques that focus on improving soil structure and increasing water and nutrient retention.
2. Raised Bed Construction as the Foundation of Land Preparation
Raised beds are essential for optimizing sandy soils for onion cultivation.
Recommended steps:
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Build raised beds 25–40 cm high to ensure excellent drainage and prevent root rot.
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Bed width should be 1–1.2 meters to facilitate planting and field operations.
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Align beds east to west to maximize sunlight exposure.
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Create drainage channels 30–40 cm wide between beds to remove excess rainwater efficiently.
Proper raised beds provide an aerated, warm, and well-drained root environment, supporting optimal bulb formation.
3. Importance of Organic Matter for Improving Sandy Soil
A key factor in successful onion cultivation on sandy soil is the application of adequate organic matter, such as compost, fermented manure, or granular organic fertilizer.
Major benefits of organic matter include:
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Improved water-holding capacity
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Better soil structure and aeration
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Enhanced supply of macro- and micronutrients
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Increased soil microbial activity
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Reduced soil temperature stress
Recommended dosage:
Apply 15–20 tons/ha of well-matured organic fertilizer, mixed evenly into the top layer of the raised bed. The sandier the soil, the higher the organic matter requirement.
4. Impact of Proper Land Preparation on Onion Growth
Combining well-designed raised beds with sufficient organic matter results in significant improvements, including:
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Strong and well-developed root systems
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Faster and more uniform vegetative growth
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Optimal bulb development
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Increased tolerance to heat and drought stress
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Substantial improvement in yield
With the right soil preparation, onions can achieve high productivity even on tropical sandy soils that were previously considered less suitable.
5. Conclusion
Land preparation using raised beds and adequate organic matter application has proven effective in maximizing onion growth and productivity in tropical sandy regions. This technology can help expand domestic onion production areas, reduce dependency on imports, and increase farmers' income.



