The field inspection of seed potatoes by the NAK is almost over. The reduction and rejection percentage is almost the same as last year. The foliage has now been destroyed on half of all plots.
Inspection service NAK reports that the field inspections for the 2019 growing season are coming to an end. The final score (after approximately 40.000 hectares) is a reduction percentage of 14,8%. This is 1% less than last year, but much more than in 2017 (8%). The rejection percentage is virtually the same as last year.
More mosaic virus
Bacterial disease is the biggest culprit, but the mosaic virus is also common this season. In 36% of cases, compared to only 5% in 2018. The number of other defects is also slightly higher at 12%. The virus pressure has been stable for weeks in central and northern Netherlands.
In the South of the Netherlands there has been less class downgrade and rejection this season. On the other hand, on the sandy soils in the north this is considerably more: almost 25% reduction and 5,6% rejection, compared to a reduction of 16% and rejection percentage of 2,4% last year.
The grubbing starts
The foliage of approximately 20.000 hectares of seed potatoes has now been destroyed. This is approximately half of the total area (44.000 hectares). The harvesting is also slowly getting underway. Growers can take advantage of the rain that fell last week, which makes the soil moist and soft. At the NAK the counter now stands at 50 hectares of cleared area.