Has the seed onions been irrigated more or less?

Irrigation reels were everywhere during the sowing of the seed onions this spring. By irrigating during this dry period, the seeds were able to germinate in the seedbed. Later on, the reel was regularly used for growth. After the rain of the past few weeks, the reels have come to a standstill. How much has been irrigated in the meantime and how does that compare with last year?

Expectation to irrigate less
In wezup (Drenthe) the field of seed onions is virtually weed-free. The height of the plot is not the same everywhere, which means that the onions on the higher parts are somewhat behind the rest of the plot. About three quarters of the plot has 50 to 65 centimeters of foliage on the onion and the growth is good. 

The grower has irrigated 3 times this year compared to 8 times last year. "I don't expect to water more than 5 times this year. Compared to last year, we started earlier, but we probably need to water less often this season." Irrigation for the grower always pays off in terms of yield, he says. 'Irrigation costs me about €80 per 2,5 hectares. This requires an average of 400 kilos to grow per turn. This is easy to do, which means that the irrigation always pays for itself'.

Irrigated for a seedbed
In Tollebeek (Flevoland) has irrigated the grower before seedbed, germination and growth. That is 1 times more than last year. Then the grower did not have to irrigate to be able to make a good seed bed. However, the grower still expects to irrigate this growing season. "Last year I also irrigated on July 22. I think I can go about a week and a half ahead with this precipitation. There is a good chance that there will be less precipitation in the coming week, then I will irrigate again," says the grower from Tollebeek.

Started early
In heijen (North Brabant) and Kimswerd (Friesland) the growers started irrigating earlier this year than last year. On both plots, the reels did more rounds last year for the growth of the onions. This year, due to the drought at the beginning of the season, more frequent irrigation was done to ensure a decent seed bed or germination. In Heijen, irrigation will take place today (Tuesday) or tomorrow. "Last year I watered for the first time on June 21 and for the last time on August 7. Then I watered a total of 4 times. I have already achieved that number this year due to the drought during sowing and the disappointing precipitation during the emergence of the onions', he says.

The grower from Kimswerd has similar experiences as the grower from Heijen. He has irrigated his plot more often this year during the emergence. Last year we irrigated more often against the drought and for the growth of the onions. The tips on the plot in Heijen are already turning yellow and the foliage is already falling down in some places. The plot was sown early this year. "I think they fall very early and would like to stretch the growth a little longer. By irrigating they can continue to grow well until at least August," hopes the grower from Heijen.

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