Question:

Which of the following variety of onion is suitable for dehydration?

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Any onion variety selected for commercial dehydration must have white flesh and high TSS/dry matter. 'Punjab-48' and 'Pusa White Round' are the two primary Indian white onion varieties bred specifically for this purpose.
  • Punjab-48
  • Udaipur-101
  • Udaipur-103
  • N-53
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Onion dehydration requires specific post-harvest quality traits to ensure a high recovery rate and a high-quality finished product.
Suitable varieties must have white flesh (to avoid discoloration), high Total Soluble Solids (TSS $>15\%$), and high dry matter content ($>15\%$).

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Most commercial red onion varieties have a low TSS ($8 - 10\%$) and high water content, making them poorly suited for drying because they undergo severe caramelization and yield low recovery rates.
'Punjab-48' is a premier white onion variety developed by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana.
It is specifically bred and recommended for commercial dehydration.
It features firm white bulbs, high dry matter content ($>14 - 15\%$), and high TSS, which ensures a high powder/flake recovery rate with excellent pungency and flavor retention post-drying.
While other white varieties like Udaipur-101 exist, 'Punjab-48' remains the widely-recognized standard for commercial dehydration in India.
N-53 is a red onion variety grown in the Kharif season, completely unsuitable for dehydration.

Step 3: Final Answer:

The onion variety Punjab-48 is highly suitable for dehydration, corresponding to option (A).
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