Professional agriculture is facing an increasingly demanding environment, where farmers and businesses need solutions that are effective, compliant with regulations and easy to integrate into management programmes, without compromising productivity and profitability.

In this context, the onion (Allium cepa) has attracted increasing interest as a basic substance in agriculture. It is a food ingredient whose primary purpose is not phytosanitary, but which, under certain authorised uses, may be incorporated as an ingredient in foodstuffs. complementary tool in crop management.

At DOMCA we develop onion-based solutions for agriculture, aimed at responding to real challenges in the field by means of products of natural origin designed for professional use.

In this article, we explain why onions fit in as a basic substance, how they can add value in agriculture and DOMCA's approach to the development of such solutions.

What are basic substances and why does the onion fit into this category?

A basic ingredient is a food-grade or commonly consumed substance whose main use is not phytosanitary, but which may have agronomic utility in specific and authorised uses, according to the Article 23 of Regulation (EC) 1107/2009.

Onions fit into this category because:

• Its main use is food.
• It has not been developed as a conventional crop protection agent.
• It has been evaluated for certain agricultural uses within the European regulatory framework.

This regulatory framework makes it possible to consider onions as a basic substance for specific uses, in accordance with the conditions laid down.

It is important to differentiate this concept from other categories commonly used in agriculture:

• Basic substancenon-agricultural substance that may be useful in plant protection under authorised conditions.
• BiostimulantPesticides: products intended to stimulate physiological processes in the plant, without a direct pest or disease control function.
• PhytosanitaryPesticide: product specifically designed and registered for the control of pests, diseases or weeds.

How can onions help in agriculture?

The onion's potential in agriculture is based on the presence of residue-free compounds,, including sulphur compounds, which have been extensively studied for their biological activity and their interaction with micro-organisms.

Within the authorised uses and as a basic substance, onion can be of value as a complementary tool, especially in strategies aimed at prevention and technical management of fungal problems in horticultural crops.

From an agronomic point of view, onion-based solutions can:

• Contribute to create less favourable conditions for the development of certain pathogens.
• Support management programmes preventive within plant protection strategies.
• To be integrated in integrated management programmes as a complement to other tools.

Its use must always be carried out in compliance with the authorised uses and as part of a defined technical strategy.

Practical value for farmers and businesses

 From a practical point of view, the interest of onion as a basic substance does not lie in replacing conventional phytosanitary tools, but in broadening the range of available solutions within a rational technical management.

For farmers and businesses, their use can bring value on several levels:

• Diversification of strategies within Integrated Management Programmes (IPM).
• Technical flexibility, as it is a food-borne substance.
• Alignment with certain production protocols and market requirements, especially in systems that prioritise more sustainable approaches.
• Compatibility with professional software, provided that it is used in a planned manner and in accordance with the conditions laid down.

Used correctly, the onion is integrated as another tool within an overall agronomic strategy, providing technical support at specific stages of the crop.

Practical applications of onions in agriculture

The bulb extract of Allium cepa L. bulb. is used as a basic substance with specific applications on certain horticultural crops, in accordance with the uses evaluated in its approval framework.

Crop application examples:

• Potato, in support of the management of early blight (Alternaria solani).
• Tomato, in strategies against downy mildew (Phytophthora infestans).
• Cucumber, in the management of botrytis (Botrytis cinerea).

These uses are in accordance with the assessments and conditions set out in the official review reports for basic substances.

DOMCA's approach to onion-based solutions

At DOMCA, we develop and manufacture solutions based on a wide range of extracts derived from alliaceae, mainly onion (Allium cepa) and other species of the genus Allium extracts, for the agri-food industry.

Our track record of more than 48 years and our specialisation in this type of ingredient allow us to gain an in-depth understanding of their properties, uses and applications., and to select the most suitable raw materials to ensure the highest quality and reliability of the final product.

Thanks to our R&D&I, We are continually incorporating new developments, adapting to the needs of our customers. technical needs of farmers and businesses as well as regulatory developments in the sector.

The solutions developed by DOMCA include, among others:

• Onion extract based solutions with recognition as basic ingredient at European level.
• Natural concentrates rich in organosulphur compounds, from food-grade raw materials.
• Plant-based solutions adapted to different application systems, such as foliar spraying or ferti-irrigation.
• Onion extracts and oils adjusted to different concentrations and agronomic needs.

This approach makes it possible to offer reliable tools, compatible with current regulations and easy to integrate into professional management programmes, The use of the crop, always as a complement to a well-defined agronomic strategy.

Conclusion

La onion as a basic substance represents an interesting option in the technical management of horticultural crops, provided that it is used according to the assessed uses and as part of a well-defined agronomic strategy.

At DOMCA we develop onion-based solutions designed to respond to the real needs of farmers and companies, integrated into modern, professional and technically sound management programmes.

👉 Contact DOMCA's technical team to find out how these solutions can fit into your crops and production systems.