Crop tour Potatoes week 26
Follow-up: how are the Innovator plots doing?
All participating potato plots of the Crop Tour were visited on Thursday, June 20 and Friday, June 21. In a earlier article described the progress of the first plots. This article follows the other plots and outlines what can be concluded from these measurements.
On all potato plots of the Crop Tour of Boerenbusiness 3 potato plants were harvested. The stems and tubers of those plants were then counted. The results of this 'trial grubbing-up' are summarized in this article.
The plot in Scharendijke
The potato plot in Scharendijke (Zeeland) was the first to be planted of all plots in the Crop Tour. The plants still seem to have enough moisture for now, although the plot cannot be irrigated. The crop is evenly grown, with the exception of a single spot. The ground is a bit heavier there. The crop, which is currently in full bloom, has sturdy, thick stems.
| Scharendijke | |
| planted | April 6, 2019 |
| Number of stems | 4 |
| Number of tubers | 9 |
| In bloom | Ja |
| Soil type | Sablon/Light clay |
| Parcel passport | Scharendijke |
The plot in Fijnaart
The crop on the plot in Fijnaart (North Brabant) is closed and all plants are in bloom. On the other hand, slight bisexuality was found in the row and the center is less developed than the front and rear half. Yet no diversity is visible underground in the number of tubers. The plot still has sufficient small tubers and that can provide more yield.
| Fijnaart | |
| planted | April 14, 2019 |
| Number of stems | 4 |
| Number of tubers | 9 |
| In bloom | Ja |
| Soil type | sea clay |
| Parcel passport | Fijnaart |
The plot in Hank
The crop on the plot in Hank (North Brabant) is currently neat and even. The crop is now dark green. Within the rows the crop is already closed and the plot is virtually closed. The leaf has suffered minor spreading damage due to spreading the fertilizer. There is sufficient moisture at the top of the ridge, but it does become drier deeper down.
| Hank | |
| planted | April 19, 2019 |
| Number of stems | 3 |
| Number of tubers | 7 |
| In bloom | Ja |
| Soil type | sea clay |
| Parcel passport | Hank |
The plot in Escharen
Irrigation is already taking place on the Crop tour plot in Escharen (North Brabant). This is also necessary, because this soil is very dry compared to the other plots. The plot is closed and there is so much foliage that the rows are barely visible. However, the stems are not sturdy, partly due to their length. Although there is a lot of height difference in the plot, this is not visible and the crop is uniform. Given the number of tubers, the plot has a chance of a high yield.
| Escharen | |
| planted | April 10, 2019 |
| Number of stems | 5 |
| Number of tubers | 11 |
| In bloom | Ja |
| Soil type | Zand |
| Parcel passport | Escharen |
The plot in Middenmeer
The crop on the potato plot in Middenmeer (North Holland) is at the end of the bud stage. The plants on the front half of the plot are less developed than on the back half. The number of tubers among the plants varies. It is remarkable that the plants have deep roots and that the soil, especially in the deeper layer, retains a lot of moisture.
| Middenmeer | |
| planted | April 18, 2019 |
| Number of stems | 3 |
| Number of tubers | 9 |
| In bloom | No |
| Soil type | Clay |
| Parcel passport | Middenmeer |
High potential for crop tour plots
In general it appears that the potato plots of the Crop Tour of Boerenbusiness have a high potential for an average or high yield. Last month, most plots received a lot of water. Many potato plants still have small tubers hanging on them that, given sufficient moisture, will grow into larger tubers (4,5 centimeters). The crops are also healthy and fertilized.
The final yield of the plots currently seems to depend mainly on the soil's capacity to retain moisture. Can the potato plots bridge the warm and dry period until rain falls again?
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