Irrigating Innovators is often a necessity

It is dry in the Netherlands. So dry, in fact, that parallels are drawn with the record year 1976. According to KNMI calculations, this year belongs to almost 5% of the driest years. This is also visible on the fields in the Netherlands and it means that irrigation is often a necessity.

An extraction ban has now been imposed in North and Central Limburg. This also applies to parts of West Brabant. The heat lowers the water level, which can lead to damage to banks and quays. This measure will apply until October 1 at the latest. 

The plot in South Limburg does not suffer from the drought. About 3 millimeters of rain has fallen here in the past 35 weeks. The crop grows steadily. 3 tubers came from 18 plants. Leaf feed will be given soon.

Irrigation necessity
The other plots have not received much precipitation, which means that irrigation is required. The plot in Hank is irrigated every 7 days, at a rate of 20 to 25 millimeters. The potatoes on the plot in Hank are in bloom, but the crop is not closed yet.

(Text continues below the chart)An overview of the rainfall on the various plots.

Also the plot in Escharen is irrigated (25 millimeters from a source). It is not possible to irrigate with surface water, because the plot is located in a brown rot area. The plot has grown well in recent weeks. 5 to 6 stems were counted per plant.

The plot in Zeeland however, has not yet suffered from the drought. Even if it stays dry for the next 3 weeks, it won't cause any problems. However, it is still important to watch out for tuber moult.

Click here to go to the page of the Crop Tour to go and view the individual plots.

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