In a field experiment three cultivation systems in organic onion production were compared: direct sowing, planting of set-onions and planting of seedlings with three to five seeds in each tray. The system with set-onions was the most efficient in terms of planting and sowing costs respectively and costs for manual weeding. The production costs of onions grown in the direct sowing system were 50 % higher than in the set-onion system. Directly sown onions have generally the best storage properties. Therefore this cultivation system may be an option if storability of the onions is important. The system with planted seedlings turned out to be the most expensive, hence it is only suited for special situations
