Yes, an onion is definitely a crop.
What is a Crop?
A crop is any plant cultivated by humans for food, fiber, or other use. Onions ( Allium cepa) fit this definition perfectly. They are widely cultivated globally for culinary use, representing a significant agricultural product in many regions.
Evidence Supporting Onions as a Crop
Several sources confirm the onion's status as a cultivated crop:
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Wikipedia: The entry for "Onion" on Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onion) clearly states that the onion plant (Allium cepa) is the "most widely cultivated species of the genus Allium." This establishes it as an agricultural crop.
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Agricultural Practices: Numerous websites and articles detail the cultivation of onions, outlining planting methods, harvesting techniques, and storage procedures. Examples include guides on growing onions from the University of Minnesota Extension (https://extension.umn.edu/vegetables/growing-onions) and The Little Green Wagon (https://thelittlegreenwagon.com/onions-for-beginners/). These resources wouldn't exist if onions weren't considered a crop.
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Commercial Production: The scale of onion production is substantial. California, for example, has significant commercial onion farming (https://apps1.cdfa.ca.gov/FertilizerResearch/docs/Onion_Production_CA.pdf). Even specialized farms exist, such as Dixondale Farms, which cultivates onion plants for distribution (https://tabletop.texasfarmbureau.org/2013/04/exploring-the-many-crops-of-the-lone-star-state/).
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Home Gardening: Onions are also frequently grown in home gardens, further solidifying their classification as a crop. A Reddit post (https://www.reddit.com/r/homestead/comments/1e6gh4a/my_neighbor_mowed_over_my_entire_onion_crop_im/) even discusses the damage caused to a homegrown onion crop.
In summary, the overwhelming evidence demonstrates that onions are indeed a cultivated crop, grown commercially and in home gardens alike.
