Syngenta Onion Varieties Deliver Strong Results in Latest Trials

Syngenta's onion line-up has produced impressive results in recent trials conducted by Infield Innovation comparing varieties from Syngenta, Hazera, Bejo/Elsoms, Seminis and Sakata.

Brown onions: Starton leads on marketable yield

Starton stood out as the top performer for marketable yield across the range. Delivering marketable yield of 71.5 t/ha, only 2% unmarketable, which is well below the trial mean of 5%. This means growers retain significantly more of their crop at harvest.

Nation also demonstrated excellent efficiency, matching Starton with only 2–3% unmarketable, reinforcing the message that growers can keep more of what they grow.

For those seeking sheer output, Promotion produced the highest total yield in the Syngenta brown range at 76 t/ha, backed by a good skin colour score of 5/9 and firmness of 7/9 - qualities that support strong packhouse performance.

Revelation one of our newest varieties in the range offers outstanding uniformity (scored 7/9) and is strong against sprouting.

Red onions: Allurion sets the standard for skin colour

In the red onion category, Allurion has emerged as the standout variety for visual quality, achieving the darkest skin colour of any red variety in the trial with a score of 7/9 - a key attribute for premium retail specifications.

Allurion combines this with just 2% unmarketable, matching the trial mean, and offers mid-season maturity with a 22 August fall over date. This gives growers good flexibility around harvest timing without sacrificing quality.

What this means for growers

Across both segments, the Syngenta range offers options tailored to different priorities - whether that's maximising marketable yield, achieving premium skin finish, or extending the season window. Low unmarketable percentages across the board mean less waste and more crop reaching the market.