N-53 (Nashik Red)
A long-standing variety from the Nashik belt, valued for pungency and export demand, though somewhat lower-yielding than newer hybrids. Not yet individually researched for a detail page.
Quick facts
- Crop
- Onion
- Type
- Open-pollinated
- Season
- All seasons
- Maturity period
- 120–130 days
- Expected yield
- 180–220 q/ha
- Suitable soil
- Loam
- Release
- Traditional Nashik, Maharashtra cultivar — a farmer-selected heritage variety, not a formal institute release; regarded as the oldest red onion variety in the Nashik belt
About this variety
N-53, known as Nashik Red, is regarded as the oldest red onion variety grown in the Nashik belt of Maharashtra — a traditional, farmer-selected cultivar rather than an institute release. It produces flattish-round, moderately pungent bulbs of 80–100 g with excellent keeping quality, and is a mainstay of India's onion export trade, available year-round with a peak export season from November to May.
Key characteristics
Yield & maturity
Maturity period
120–130 days
Expected yield
180–220 q/ha
Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.
Pest & disease considerations
Major diseases
- No specific bred-in resistance — a traditional, unimproved variety
Advantages & considerations
Things to consider
- A real discrepancy: sourced material gives 150–160 days to maturity, notably longer than this record's existing "120–130 days" duration field — flagged here for review rather than silently changed.
- No conflicting yield figure was found this phase — this record's existing "180–220 q/ha" yieldPotential rating is left as the working reference, unconfirmed but not contradicted.
- Sourced material confirms Nashik, Maharashtra as the origin, matching this record's existing single-state field exactly — no states discrepancy found here, unlike most other records in this rollout.
Suitable regions
States this variety is recommended for — check locally, since a state can have more than one recommended zone.
- Maharashtra
Frequently asked questions
Is N-53 (Nashik Red) a released institute variety?
No — it is regarded as the oldest red onion variety in the Nashik belt, a traditional farmer-selected cultivar rather than a formal breeding release, consistent with this record's existing note describing it as "a long-standing variety" rather than a modern hybrid.
How long does N-53 take to mature?
Sourced material gives 150–160 days, notably longer than this record's existing "120–130 days" duration field — a discrepancy flagged above for review.
What does an N-53 bulb look like?
Flattish-round in shape, weighing 80–100 g, moderately pungent, with excellent keeping quality — traits that have made it a long-standing export favourite.
When is N-53 onion exported?
It is available year-round, with peak export activity from November to May.
Why is N-53 lower-yielding than newer onion hybrids?
As an unimproved, traditional open-pollinated variety without bred-in disease resistance or hybrid vigour, it trades some yield potential for its distinctive pungency and long export track record — matching this record's existing note framing.