Sulfur, Its Role in Onion Production and Related Alliums

Unlike other crop species, the Alliums, which include onion (Allium cepa L.), garlic (Allium sativa L.), leek (Allium ampeloprasum L.), shallot (Allium cepa L. var. ascalonicum), and chives (Allium schoenoprasum L.), rely on sulfur for their unique flavor. A variety of sulfur compounds in these plants determines the flavor profile of these crops. This chapter reviews how pungency is tested, fertilizer demands of Allium crops, and how sulfur influences bulb quality and crop growth.