Despite drought, growth in potatoes

Despite the ongoing drought, the plots participating in the Boerenbusiness Crop tour looking vital. A small amount of rain fell locally this week, but that could not provide relief everywhere.

The plot with Innovators in the John Kerkhoven Polder suffers relatively little from the drought in the Netherlands. This is mainly due to the fact that it is somewhat cooler in Groningen than in other provinces. The average temperature on this plot at the beginning of July was 16,6 degrees Celsius. On this plot this week (week 28) about 7 millimeter rain.

If we compare the plot in the Johannes Kerkhovenpolder with the warmest plot (Fijnaart), the difference is almost 4 degrees Celsius. At the beginning of July, the average temperature on this plot was 20,2 degrees Celsius. The crop on this plot has finished flowering and foliar fertilizer has also been sprayed to keep the crop vital.

Less rain in Spijk
On the plot in spike fell 'only' 1 millimeter. Last week it was still necessary to irrigate on this plot and the effect was immediately noticeable. A total of 15 to 20 millimeters was given. Before irrigation started, nitrogen was given (approximately 135 kilos per hectare). In the end, 12 tubers per plant were counted on this plot.

Into the crop on the plot Middenmeer is still in full bloom. The plot is defending itself well against the drought† Just like on the plot in the Johannes Kerkhovenpolder, the soil on this plot is relatively cool. The plot is even the coolest plot of the Crop Tour to date; the average temperature at the beginning of July was 16,3 degrees Celsius. That is more than 2 degrees Celsius cooler than the average of all plots together.

On the plot in Biddinghuizen it was warmer and the average temperature there at the beginning of July was 18,4 degrees Celsius. The maximums even rose to above 4 degrees Celsius in the first 26 days of July. Last weekend, this plot was irrigated for the fourth time, when 25 to 30 millimeters were applied.An overview of the state of the crops in week 28.

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