Crop tour plots happy with growing weather

Both the precipitation and the cool days afterwards are positive for the potato plots of the Gewastour. Precipitation fell on all plots last week, even though large differences are visible. Despite the rain, several plots have also been irrigated. 

The plots in Voorst (Gelderland) and Goor (Overijssel) in particular could use the rainfall in week 28. There was hardly any rain in the weeks before, which led to the situation on the plots more difficult became. It was not possible to irrigate on the plot in Goor, but it was possible on the plot in Voorst. 

Little precipitation in Zeeland 
However, there was (too) little rainfall on the plot in Scharendijke (Zeeland). Only 3 millimeters fell in the past week. It is increasingly visible that there is a moisture shortage. Wear and tear of the foliage is now visible in the lighter areas of the plot.

Growing potato weather on the majority of the plots
The majority of the plots are experiencing growing potato weather. The flowering on the plot in Escaren (North Brabant) is now over. There was not much rain on the plot, but enough to skip one round of watering. On the plot in Fijnaart (North Brabant) the crop is almost at the end of flowering. "The tubers are about 35 millimeters or larger, and some plants already have big lumps under them," says the grower.

On the plot in Ens (Flevoland), the crop is shrinking somewhat, mainly because there is so much foliage on it. There is also a difference in prefruit and planting date. The part of the plot where tulips have stood and where planting has taken place earlier, leaves its foliage hanging earlier.

Extreme precipitation in Voorst
More than 40 millimeters of rain fell on the plot in Voorst in two days. Yet the moisture does not seem to penetrate completely to the bottom layer. However, because the evaporation is not high, the moisture has the chance to penetrate deeper. Mineralization is expected to continue. There was also between 10 and 20 millimeters of rain last week.

Effect of precipitation on Goor not yet clear 
The plot in Goor received 24 millimeters last week. The precipitation was very desirable on the plot. It is not yet entirely clear what the effect of the precipitation is, this will become apparent after a few days when the plants manage to pick up some growth again. 

Ozone damage on the Middenmeer plot
The plot in Middenmeer (North Holland) was also irrigated last week. The purpose of the sprinkling is to give some extra strength to the tuber formation. However, because there was also rain during the day, it seems as if ozone damage has occurred in the crop. 

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